The AMET Global Maritime Summit 2025 (AGMS 2025) and AMET Global Maritime Awards 2025 (AGMA 2025), hosted by the Dr. J. Ramachandran Maritime Foundation in association with AMET University, concluded with resounding success on July 2, 2025, at the Anna Centenary Library Auditorium, Kotturpuram, Chennai. This flagship maritime gathering welcomed over 1200 delegates and participants representing more than 15 countries, reaffirming its position as a premier global platform for maritime discourse, leadership recognition, and policy dialogue.
With the summit themed “Sailing Towards Sustainability – Navigating the Future of the Maritime Industry”, AGMS 2025 focused on critical areas such as green shipping, maritime education, seafarer wellbeing, digital transformation, and ocean sustainability. The event promoted strong alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 and SDG 13.
The inaugural session commenced with Tamil Thai Vazhthu and invocation, setting a solemn tone of reverence and unity. Capt. K. Karthik, Principal of the AMET Institute of Science and Technology, delivered the welcome address, highlighting the relevance of this year’s summit theme and the role of AMET University in bridging academic and industry expertise. Prof Dr V Rajendran Vice Chancellor has introduced the Chief Guest and dignitaries to the audience.
In his presidential address, Dr. J. Ramachandran, Founder and Chancellor of AMET University, reaffirmed AMET’s commitment to shaping the future of maritime education and leadership. He highlighted key partnerships, including the Maersk Centre of Excellence and a new academic collaboration with Arizona State University, aimed at advancing global maritime learning. Emphasizing the summit’s theme of “Sailing Towards Sustainability,” he called for responsible innovation through AI, green shipping, and autonomous technologies to meet the evolving demands of the maritime industry.
Capt. Mohan Naik, Director of Dynacom Tankers Management Pvt Ltd, delivered the Chief Guest Address, reflected on AMET’s transformative role in Indian maritime training and lauded its enduring partnership with his organization. He emphasized that sustainability must underpin every maritime operation—from green shipping and ship recycling to autonomous navigation and carbon-neutral fuels like methanol and green hydrogen. Highlighting mental health as a critical concern, he urged proactive support systems to reduce onboard stress. He called on Maritime Training Institutes to bridge emerging skill gaps in an era of evolving technologies, stringent regulations, and high capital investments.
As Guest of Honour, Capt. Karan Kochhar, Head of Marine People (Asia), Maersk Fleet Management, applauded AMET’s legacy in nurturing competent seafarers and celebrated the institution’s three-decade-long partnership with A.P. Moller Maersk. He emphasized that sustainability in shipping is not just technological but deeply rooted in people, especially cadets who are the future stewards of the seas. Urging them to “stay humble, stay resilient,” he underscored the need to empower young maritime professionals to lead transformative change in a rapidly evolving industry.
Dr. Rajesh Ramachandren, President of AMET University and Chairman of the Dr. J. Ramachandran Maritime Foundation, delivered a special address, emphasizing that as the world sails toward sustainability, the maritime sector must embed sustainable practices across all operations. He highlighted that shipping—being vital to global progress—demands a balance of technological innovation, environmental stewardship, social inclusion, and international collaboration to ensure a resilient future.
During the inaugural ceremony, AMET University exchanged a MoU with Arizona State University, marking the beginning of joint academic initiatives in maritime, general management, and AI. The collaboration includes integrated UG (4+1) and dual-campus MBA programmes, along with executive and short-term courses focused on building future-ready global competencies for seafarers and professionals.
The inaugural ceremony concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Dr. V. Sangeetha Albin, Registrar of AMET University, who acknowledged the presence of dignitaries, guests, and global participants and expressed gratitude to partners, faculty, students, and organisers.
AGMS 2025 was marked by a vibrant exchange of knowledge and ideas through expert-led panel discussions and concurrent technical sessions, fostering a rich dialogue across multiple domains of maritime interest.
The first panel discussion focused on the theme “Will Humanities and Soft Skills Training Result in More Competent Officers?” and was moderated by Ms. Harjeet Kaur Joshi, former CMD of Shipping Corporation of India. The Panel explored the transformative role of soft skills in maritime leadership, particularly highlighting how empathy, cultural sensitivity, and communication enhance crew well-being and operational harmony. Experts emphasized that soft skills — or “people skills” — are as vital as technical proficiency and advocated for integrating subjects like maritime psychology and environmental education into training curricula. The panel called for an inclusive pedagogy that fosters leadership, critical thinking, and team resilience at sea.
The second panel explored “Legal Recourses for Harassment at Sea – A Case Study Approach”, led by advocate Ms. S. Priya of Venki’s Law, Mumbai. The panelists presented real-life cases and focused on legal recourses for harassment at sea, highlighting real-life scenarios, regulatory frameworks, and the critical role of companies and Maritime Training Institutes in prevention and response. Panellists emphasized that harassment affects both genders and called for a robust “Policy–Training–Practice” approach across all organizational levels. They stressed the need for psychological safety, legal awareness, and inclusive crew cultures aligned with national and international maritime laws.
Panel III, moderated by C/E Sridhar V, CTO of Maritime EdTech Academy (META), stood out for its unique composition—four cadets from AMET took center stage alongside the moderator to debate the theme “Can Social Media Save the Seas?” The discussion explored both the potentials and pitfalls of social media in maritime life, with cadets highlighting real-life scenarios. They emphasized that while digital platforms can enhance awareness and connectivity, mindful usage and structured orientation are essential for leveraging it positively in maritime training and operations.
Alongside the panel sessions, four technical tracks were conducted throughout the day. Each track addressed a critical sector of maritime development. The track on Maritime Education for a Sustainable Future examined curriculum evolution, technology-driven instruction, and competency-based learning. The track on Digital Transformation and Smart Maritime Operations explored shipboard automation, digital twin technologies, and the integration of AI in training and navigation systems. The Innovation and Sustainability in Maritime Practice track reviewed advancements in fuel efficiency, carbon neutrality, and alternative propulsion systems. Finally, the Blue Economy, Ocean Health, and Policy Integration track offered perspectives on marine biodiversity, policy harmonisation, and India’s contribution to global ocean governance. More than 120 research papers and lead presentations were delivered across these tracks, reinforcing AMET’s position as a hub for maritime knowledge creation and academic excellence.
The valedictory ceremony was held in the august presence of Mr. David Eggleston, Deputy Consul-General of Australia, Chennai, who served as the Chief Guest. The ceremony was presided over by Dr. Rajesh Ramachandren, while the welcome address was delivered by Dr. Deepa Rajesh, Vice President (Academics), AMET University. In his valedictory presidential address, Dr. Rajesh Ramachandran emphasized the importance of technological upgradation across all maritime stakeholders to meet emerging global demands. He reaffirmed AMET University’s unwavering commitment to enhancing the quality of global seafarers and urged cadets to be future-ready, equipped to navigate the evolving challenges of the maritime industry with competence and resilience.
Col. Dr. G. Thiruvasagam, Provost, AMET University, presented the Jury Report, outlining the rigorous selection criteria and the international scope of evaluation. The Dr. J. Ramachandran Maritime Foundation presented the official Jury Report and Declaration of Awards for AGMA 2025 during the AMET Global Maritime Summit. Instituted in memory of visionary educationist Dr. Naesey J. Ramachandran, the awards aim to recognize excellence in maritime leadership, education, and innovation on a global scale. The 2025 edition built on the strong precedent set in its inaugural year, following a transparent and academically rigorous selection process. The Jury Panel, chaired by Prof. Gabriel Raicu of Romania and Dr. Stephen Hurd of Australia, evaluated nominations from around the world across three categories—Individual, Institutional, and Startup/Innovation. Evaluation criteria emphasized institutional performance, educational impact, technological innovation, and alignment with Sustainable Development Goals. A special recognition—the AGMA Maritime Leadership Award (Founder-Chancellor’s Nomination)—was conferred on Capt. Anmol Kumar Srivastava for his gallantry in saving 57 lives during a ferry disaster near Mumbai. Other awardees included Dr. Boyan Mednikarov of Bulgaria, Mr. R. S. Lakshmi Balaji of Chennai, CUST Euromed of Italy, and Dr. Karthik Ramachandran of Chennai. The report reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to nurturing global maritime excellence and socially responsible leadership. The awards not only honour past accomplishments but also aim to ignite future aspirations across the maritime domain. As living extensions of the Founder-Chancellor’s legacy, AGMA serves as a guiding force for the next generation of maritime professionals.
The prestigious AGMA 2025 Awards were then presented to distinguished individuals and institutions for their exceptional contributions to the maritime industry. The awards were conferred by Mr. Eggleston, along with Prof. Adam Weintrit, Chair of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) and Rector of Gdynia Maritime Academy, Poland, and Dr. J. Ramachandran.
The AGMA Maritime Leadership Award 2025 (Founder-Chancellor Nomination) was awarded to Captain Anmol Shrivastava, Ship Pilot at Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Mumbai, in recognition of his exemplary leadership, operational excellence, and commitment to mentoring the next generation of pilots.
AGMA Maritime Leadership Award 2025 (Founder-Chancellor Nomination):
Captain Anmol Shrivastava, Ship Pilot, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority, Mumbai, was recognized for his extraordinary bravery in saving 57 lives during the Mumbai ferry tragedy.
AGMA Maritime Leadership Award 2025:
Dr. Boyan Kirilov Mednikarov, Former Commandant and Rector, Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Varna, Republic of Bulgaria, was honoured for his transformative leadership in naval education.
AGMA Young Maritime Leadership Award 2025:
Mr. R. S. Lakshmi Balaji, Director, Trekcodes, Chennai, received the award for his pioneering role in integrating emerging technologies into maritime training and operations.
AGMA Maritime Excellence Award 2025:
Centro Universitario di Studi sui Trasporti Euromediterranei (CUST Euromed), University of Messina, Italy, was celebrated for its outstanding contribution to maritime education and sustainable logistics.
AGMA Maritime Innovation Award 2025:
Dr. Karthik Ramachandran, Director, Vetbiotics Animal Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Chennai, was acknowledged for his innovative application of marine biotechnology in promoting sustainable aquaculture and environmental health.
These recognitions were made following a detailed and independent jury process, reflecting the spirit of maritime leadership envisioned by the foundation and aligned with global best practices.
In his Chief Guest Address, Mr. David Eggleston, Deputy Consul-General of Australia in Chennai, warmly lauded Capt. Anmol Srivastava for his extraordinary gallantry in saving lives during the Mumbai ferry tragedy. He highlighted India’s rich maritime heritage and its growing focus on maritime security, tourism, coastal economy, and port development. Emphasizing the strategic ties between India and Australia, he underscored their collaborations in clean energy, education, agribusiness, and tourism—anchored by a strong maritime connection.
Dr. T. Sasilatha, Coordinator of AGMS 2025 Technical Sessions, presented the conference report highlighting the presentation of over 120 scholarly articles received globally. These were delivered across four concurrent technical sessions—Maritime Education and Training, Maritime Technology Innovations, Maritime Sustainability, and Maritime Management and Strategies. The sessions reflected the summit’s global academic appeal and its commitment to addressing critical challenges and innovations in the maritime sector. To honour scholarly excellence, Best Paper Awards were conferred in each session, recognizing outstanding contributions to knowledge and innovation in the maritime domain.
In his commendation address, Dr. J. Ramachandran Founder-Chancellor of AMET University and Patron of the Dr. J. Ramachandran Maritime Foundation, expressed heartfelt appreciation to the awardees, jury, and organisers. He reiterated AMET’s mission to promote sustainability, global connectivity, and forward-thinking maritime education. Dr. J. Ramachandran, emphasized the importance of continuously and elegantly conducting the AGMS and AGMA as platforms of global maritime significance. He warmly appreciated and congratulated all the awardees, with a proud and emotional acknowledgment of Capt. Anmol Srivastava for his heroic act in saving 57 lives during the Mumbai ferry tragedy. He expressed satisfaction over the meticulous and fair selection process and extended his gratitude to the esteemed jury members. Dr. Ramachandran also appealed to Mr. David Eggleston to consider creating conducive avenues for Indian students to pursue education in Australia and continue their professional development, highlighting AMET’s ongoing collaboration with Monash University in areas like Artificial Intelligence and Data Science.
The event concluded with the Vote of Thanks delivered by Capt. V Chandra Shekar, Principal of AMET City College, followed by the national anthem and a fellowship high tea.
Marex Media