Pratik Bijlani – The Government of India is set to induct specialised naval architects into the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) as part of a broader strategy to strengthen domestic shipbuilding capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign-built vessels. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, aims to enhance the regulator’s in-house…
Pratik Bijlani – On 8th April, the Institute of Maritime Studies Goa (IMS Goa) recently organized a technical seminar on Building Mental Resilience and Emotional Strength in Young Seafarers at Hotel Mirage, bringing together maritime professionals, educators, and industry stakeholders to address the growing importance of mental health in the seafaring profession. The seminar focused…
The maritime industry has always operated in complex environments. Ships move across jurisdictions, regulations evolve constantly, and crews make decisions under pressure where time is limited. Yet one challenge has remained unchanged.Managing information at sea is often harder than managing operations. Today, artificial intelligence and automation are beginning to change that. The Hidden Complexity of…
Jagdamba Prasad Pandey – In a powerful display of industry leadership and operational commitment, Celsius Tech Limited recently concluded its flagship Officers Conference 2026. Held from March 19–20 at The Leela Ambience in Gurugram, India, the event brought together the backbone of the fleet—its officers—alongside shore-based leadership under the evocative theme: Leadership Excellence at Sea…
Ganpat University’s Faculty of Maritime Studies (FMTS) marked a significant milestone in maritime education and innovation with the successful organization of Samudra Shakti 1.0, its first-ever maritime technical symposium, held on 3rd and 4th April 2026 at Ganpat Vidyanagar, Kherva, Mehsana, Gujarat. Conceived under the inspiring theme “Voyage of Self-Discovery,” the symposium reflected the university’s…
The argument that tolls can be charged in the Strait of Hormuz because the Suez and Panama canals charge fees is based on a false equivalence. The two categories are governed by completely different legal regimes. Legal Status: Artificial Waterway vs International Strait The Suez Canal and Panama Canal are artificial waterways. They are internal…
The escalating tensions in West Asia, particularly the ongoing geopolitical friction involving Iran and the United States, have once again exposed a critical vulnerability in India’s energy security architecture—its overwhelming dependence on foreign-owned shipping for the transportation of crude oil, LNG, and LPG. As a nation that imports nearly 85% of its crude oil requirements,…
Four Seasons I, a 95-suite yacht that announced Four Seasons’ entry into the ultra-luxury yacht segment, has successfully completed her maiden voyage in the Mediterranean, supported by Anglo Eastern Cruise Management Inc. (AECMI) as her technical ship management partner. AECMI’s involvement began during the newbuilding phase at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in 2024 and now includes…
