Ahead of INMARCO 2026, the organisers have announced programme highlights spanning autonomous ships and digitalisation, maritime strategy, and start-ups and entrepreneurship. The International Maritime Conference and Exhibition will take place from 27–29 October 2026 at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, under the theme “Maritime Landscape 2030 – Opportunities and Challenges.”
Building on the conference’s focus on India’s maritime transformation, the latest announcements bring together perspectives from classification, technology and investment, connecting established industry expertise with emerging entrepreneurial opportunities.
Rabindra Sah, Chief Technology Officer, Indian Register of Shipping (IRCLASS), will participate as a panelist in “Autonomous ships and digitalisation” on 27 October at 12:45 p.m. IST. The session places the changing role of technology in shipping firmly within the conference’s discussion of the maritime landscape towards 2030.
The “Start-ups & Entrepreneurs Session”, scheduled for 28 October from 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. IST in Hall A, will feature Akshay Jain of Vedam Designs as a judge. An active angel investor and advocate of deep technology, Jain has directly backed more than 20 start-ups, with investment interests including space technology, climate technology and robotics. His participation brings an investor’s perspective to the conference’s engagement with innovation and entrepreneurship.
On 29 October at 2:55 p.m. IST, Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, IRCLASS, will participate as a panellist in “Core strategy”, adding a senior industry perspective to the programme’s strategic discussions.
Together, these sessions reflect the breadth of INMARCO 2026: examining technological change, encouraging enterprise and considering the strategic choices facing the maritime sector. They complement the wider conference agenda covering cleaner shipping, future fuels, shipbuilding, ports, investment, skills and seafarer interests.
Organised by The Institute of Marine Engineers (India), Mumbai Branch, together with its Navi Mumbai and Gujarat Chapters, INMARCO 2026 builds on a legacy dating back to 1982. The conference and exhibition provide a platform for maritime professionals, policymakers, researchers, technology providers, entrepreneurs and students to exchange knowledge and explore collaboration.
Marex Media
Programme highlights
27 October, 12:45 p.m.: Autonomous ships and digitalisation — panellist Rabindra Sah, Chief Technology Officer, IRCLASS.
28 October, 5:45–7:45 p.m.: Start-ups & Entrepreneurs Session — judge Akshay Jain, Vedam Designs. Venue: Hall A.
29 October, 2:55 p.m.: Core strategy — panellist Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman, IRCLASS.
Information and registration: https://2026.inmarco.in/