On August 29, the Indian Maritime University (IMU) successfully hosted a thematic dialogue session titled Transforming Indian Ports: Capacity Building, Sustainability and Digital Innovation. This event was a prelude to the mega global event planned by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways – India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025 and the proposed Port Led Regional Development, National Conference to be held in November 2025 by IMU in collaboration with Gati Shakti University, Gujarat Maritime University, CEPT University, and Adani University. The event brought together a distinguished group of speakers and participants at the IMU’s Chennai Campus.
This session focused on India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aims to elevate the country’s ports to global standards. The discussions centered on three key areas: Capacity Building, with plans to expand port capacity to over 3,300 MMTPA; Digital Innovation, emphasizing the use of technologies like IoT, AI, and blockchain; and Sustainability, highlighting the adoption of green technologies in line with the Harit Sagar Guidelines.
The event also featured the signing of two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs):
- IMU and Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI): This MoU focuses on maritime skilling, particularly in shipbuilding and heavy fabrication. The collaboration aims to develop training and skilling programs, establish centers of excellence, and create employment opportunities for the Shipbuilding Sector. IMU will provide simulated training while SDHI will provide hands-on industrial training opportunities for ITI graduates for generating employment in the proposed future shipyard.
- IMU and Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation (TNSDC): This MoU is a collaboration for skill development of the youth of Tamil Nadu under the “Naan Mudhalvan Finishing School” initiative. IMU will serve as a Training Partner and provide employability-based skill training. The agreement includes the exchange of faculty and students, joint training activities, and collaboration on innovation and incubation.
- IMU and Guidance Tamil Nadu Govt have come to an understanding for signing an MoU during the Hon’ble Minister of Shipping’s visit to Thoothukudi Port on September 5, 2025 at Tuticorim. Two new Mega Shipbuilding Clusters in Tamil Nadu (Cuddalore and Thoothukudi). are being planned by the Tamil Nadu Government. This partnership with help train the manpower required in these shipyards and for catering to the future shipbuilding orders, with the support of CEMS. IMU has already signed an MoU with CEMS. IMU exchanged a consent letter with Guidance during today’s event.
The event featured addresses from a notable lineup of speakers:
- Dr. (Mrs.) Malini V Shankar, Vice Chancellor, IMU, initiated the dialogue.
- Keynote speakers included Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Choudhary, Vice Chancellor, GSV., Shri Vetrivel Ramadoss, Sr. Vice President & Unit Head, JSW Ennore Coal and Bulk Terminals, JSW Infrastructure Limited, Shri Senthil Kumar, Chief Surveyor MMD Chennai
- The inaugural address was delivered by Chief Guest Shri Rajesh Kumar Sinha IAS, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- Capt. Arun Kumar, CAO, IPA, presented on the vision and scope of IMW.
- The “Port-led Regional Development” session featured addresses by Prof Amitabh Kundu, Senior Fellow, WRI – India, Dr Priyanka, GSV, Dr Nitika Bhakuni, CEPT University, Dr Chirag Patel, GMU
- The “Sustainability and Digital Innovation” session included contributions from Shri Prasad Nayak, GM (Training), Anglo Eastern Training Centre; Ms. T.V. Sri Lalitha, Sr. Engineer, CEMS; Dr. Sajan Kapil, Associate Project Director, Technology Innovation Hub, IIT Guwahati; and Dr. Revathi. R, NCOEGCPS, TERI.
- Prof. G Raghuram, VC, IMU, delivered a special address on “Ports, PPP’s and Pollution- Case Study of Mormugao port.”
- A panel discussion included Prof. Tanuja Kaushik (GMU), Mrs. Manisha Jadhav (GM & Secy, JNPA), and Prof. Bangaru Raju (Dean, SMM, IMU), and was moderated by Dr. Pankaj Kumar S, Founder, Centre for Urban R&D.
- The event ended with Prof Sankaran Head School of Marine Engineering and Technology (SMET) IMU presenting the concluding remarks and a vote of thanks from Dr. M Sekar, Head, School of Maritime Management (SMM), IMU Chennai Campus.
Marex Media