The Indian National Shipowners’ Association (INSA) successfully organised the 6th edition of its Technical Paper Presentation Competition on 21st March 2026, reaffirming its continued commitment to fostering a culture of research, innovation and technical excellence among pre-sea maritime students. Conducted under the aegis of the Research & Training Committee, the competition provided a distinguished platform for aspiring maritime professionals to present forward-looking ideas addressing contemporary and emerging industry challenges.
The programme commenced with the opening of the event by Mr. Sunil Kumar, Head – Training & Assessment, GESCO, who, as the Master of Ceremony, warmly welcomed the dignitaries, participants and attendees and set a professional and engaging tone for the proceedings. This was followed by the welcome address delivered by Mr. Anil Devli, CEO, INSA, who highlighted the significance of such initiatives in nurturing analytical thinking, technical competence and innovation among maritime cadets.
The event was formally inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Shri Shyam Jagannathan (IAS), Director General of Shipping, who emphasised the evolving dynamics of the maritime sector and the importance of equipping future professionals with sustainable and technology-driven solutions.
Dr. B.K. Saxena, Chairman – Training & Research Committee, INSA, provided a comprehensive overview of the competition, outlining its objectives and the relevance of the themes presented. To ensure the seamless conduct of the programme, Mr. David Birwadkar, Ex-Chairman, IME(I) Mumbai Branch and Member, INSA R&T Committee, clearly explained the rules, evaluation parameters and presentation methodology, thereby ensuring clarity and uniformity in the assessment process.
The competition featured a series of well-researched and insightful technical paper presentations by cadets representing premier maritime institutes across the country, including Tolani Maritime Institute, Indian Maritime University (Navi Mumbai and Kolkata campuses), Seven Islands Maritime Training Institute, and Jeyanthinather Academy of Marine Studies. The topics reflected key industry priorities such as sustainability, digital transformation, alternative fuels, artificial intelligence and advancements in marine engineering systems and ship operations.
Each presentation was followed by an interactive discussion, allowing participants to engage with the panel and demonstrate depth of understanding. The overall standard of research and presentation reflected both academic rigor and practical relevance.
During the mid-session interval, an industry-focused presentation by Mr. Sunil Kumar offered valuable insights into current maritime trends and expectations from future professionals.
The event concluded with observations by Dr. Sujata Naik, Chairperson – Tolani Shipping and Director, INSA, who commended the participants for their innovative contributions. The panel of judges, comprising Mr. I.N. Bose, Mr. D. Mehrotra, Mr. A.B. Dutta, Capt. Kishore and Mr. C.R. Dash, shared their expert feedback and insights.
The results were announced by Mr. Birwadkar, followed by a vote of thanks by Mr. Lokanath Tripathy, Head of Offshore Logistics Services, GIL, marking the successful conclusion of the event.
Marex Media