SHM Shipcare Private Limited has been honoured with the National Award for Excellence in Ports & Shipping 2026 in the Outstanding Industry Achievement category for developing India’s first indigenously designed lifeboat. The recognition highlights the company’s contribution to strengthening India’s maritime safety capabilities and advancing indigenous manufacturing under the country’s self-reliance initiatives.
The award was presented at the 13th edition of the National Awards for Excellence in Ports & Shipping held at Taj Lands End in Mumbai. Considered one of the maritime sector’s most respected industry recognitions, the awards celebrate organisations and professionals that have made significant contributions to India’s ports, shipping and logistics ecosystem.
SHM Shipcare received the honour for designing and developing the country’s first indigenous lifeboat, a major achievement in marine safety and emergency response systems. The development represents an important milestone for India’s maritime industry by reducing dependence on imported safety equipment while promoting locally developed technologies for ships and offshore operations.
The recognition is expected to strengthen the company’s position as a domestic manufacturer of marine lifesaving equipment and support its ongoing collaborations with shipyards, classification societies, port authorities and government organisations. The company believes the award reinforces its commitment to developing advanced marine safety solutions that meet international quality and safety standards.
Mohammed Hajee, Chief Executive Officer – Marine & Fire Safety, SHM Shipcare, said the award recognises the dedication and engineering expertise of the company’s team. He noted that marine safety equipment plays a critical role in protecting lives at sea and that the national recognition encourages the company to continue developing high-quality, locally designed safety solutions for the shipping industry.
Saifuddin Hajee, Chairman and Managing Director of SHM Shipcare, said the company was founded with the objective of improving safety at sea through reliable marine survival systems. He added that the recognition for India’s first indigenous lifeboat reflects years of engineering effort and reinforces the company’s commitment to supporting the Government of India’s Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiatives through indigenous innovation and manufacturing.
The latest recognition adds to SHM Shipcare’s growing contribution to India’s maritime manufacturing sector. The company continues to invest in engineering, product development and technology to strengthen the domestic ecosystem for marine safety equipment while reducing dependence on imported solutions.
Founded in 2001, SHM Shipcare has emerged as a leading player in shipbuilding, ship management and marine safety solutions, backed by a maritime legacy of nearly 140 years. The company serves government agencies, ports, defence organisations and commercial shipping operators in India and overseas. Its operations span more than 25 locations across India and international markets, including Singapore, the UAE, Malaysia, Indonesia, Greece, Egypt, Oman and Sri Lanka.
