The Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI), Navi Mumbai Chapter, hosted an insightful Monthly Lecture Meeting at MASSA Maritime Academy (MMA), Belapur on 22^nd October, focusing on a growing environmental issue that is increasingly attracting global regulatory attention: Underwater Radiated Noise (URN) generated by commercial shipping.

The session, held in MMA’s state-of-the-art classroom equipped with smart boards and modern digital facilities, was attended by maritime professionals from across the industry, including representatives from ports, maritime training institutes, RPSL companies, government departments, private sector organisations and maritime media. The event was conducted in both physical and online formats.

The meeting was opened by Capt Nalin Pandey, Chairman of the CMMI NM Chapter and MMA Trustee.

The session was coordinated under the leadership of Capt Anand Shingatgeri, Principal of MASSA Maritime Academy, with Capt AP Srivastava, Vice Principal, overseeing guest and delegate engagement.

The lecture centred on the Framework for Integrated Shipboard Harmonic Control (FISH), a pilot initiative developed by the MMA faculty team. The concept aims to integrate operational, technical, regulatory and awareness-based measures to address anthropogenic underwater sound generated by ships.

The presentations were delivered by Capt Samir Kumar and Mr Vikram Gokhale, both faculty members at MMA, with significant background contributions from engineering faculty member Mr Vikrant Thorat. The speakers highlighted how ship-generated noise can interfere with marine mammals’ ability to communicate, navigate, locate food and avoid predators.

The discussion referenced the widely reported incident in the Bahamas, where 17 beaked whales were found stranded following high-intensity naval sonar activity, an event that helped trigger international concern over underwater noise pollution. Since then, the issue has gained prominence within the International Maritime Organization (IMO), which has issued guidelines aimed at reducing underwater radiated noise from ships.

Experts outlined both operational and technical mitigation measures, including speed optimisation, improved hull and propeller maintenance, advanced propeller designs, vibration isolation systems and route planning in environmentally sensitive areas.

Many attendees noted that it was their first exposure to the subject, despite its growing significance within international maritime environmental discussions. Valuable contributions were also made by senior maritime professionals including Capt HK Mishra and Capt Mohanty.

The vote of thanks was delivered by Capt Pawan Gupta, General Secretary of DRACEA. Special recognition was also given to Capt BP Singh, General Secretary of the CMMI Navi Mumbai Chapter, for mobilising participation at short notice.

The event concluded with a strong call for greater industry awareness, research and collaborative action. Participants expressed hope that the MMA initiative would stimulate broader debate and encourage both government and private stakeholders in India to support efforts aimed at reducing underwater noise and protecting marine ecosystems.

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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.

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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/

Mumbai’s maritime fraternity gathered in impressive numbers on 21 October at the prestigious Sri Shanmukhananda Fine Arts & Sangeetha Sabha for the Riya Marine-Marex Media 14th Edition of Kashti – The Musical 2026, an evening that once again demonstrated the power of music to bring the shipping community together.

More than an entertainment programme, Kashti has evolved into a cherished maritime institution, symbolising the journeys, aspirations and shared experiences that bind the industry. This year’s edition attracted over 2,000 attendees, including shipping industry leaders, seafarers, veterans, family members, cadets and maritime stakeholders, reaffirming its status as one of the sector’s most anticipated annual gatherings.

A defining highlight of the evening was the return of acclaimed playback singer Hema Sardesai to the Kashti stage after an 18-year hiatus. Her electrifying performance, marked by powerful vocals and popular hits, captivated the audience and added a touch of nostalgia to the celebrations.

The event also underscored Kashti’s enduring commitment to nurturing future maritime talent. A total of 144 cadets and 21 faculty members from The Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies, Indian Maritime University – Mumbai Port Campus, Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy and Ganpat University participated in the programme. During the inauguration ceremony, cadets joined in the traditional lamp-lighting ritual, symbolically representing the future of India’s maritime sector.

Reflecting on the significance of the event, Mr Bharat Mehhrotra, Associate Vice President (Business Development), Riya Marine Travel, said: “The maritime industry is built on people, partnerships and a shared understanding of the challenges that come with keeping the world connected. What makes an evening like Kashti special is the opportunity to step beyond our day-to-day roles, reconnect with peers and strengthen the relationships that sustain this community. As an industry, we have much to gain from creating more spaces for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. For us at Riya Marine, being part of this community means not just serving its needs, but actively contributing to its growth and cohesion.”

The evening also recognised outstanding contributions to Indian shipping with the presentation of the Lifetime Achievement Award to Capt Sudhir S Naphade. A respected maritime veteran, former Nautical Adviser to the Government of India and former Director General of Shipping (in charge), Capt Naphade was honoured for a distinguished career spanning ship operations, maritime administration and industry leadership.

In his acceptance remarks, the 84-year-young mariner shared a simple but powerful lesson from his mentor: whatever profession one chooses, strive to be the very best at it. Addressing the many cadets present, he encouraged young professionals to pursue excellence throughout their careers, drawing warm applause from the audience.

Leading support for Kashti 2026 came from Riya Travel And Tours (India) Pvt Ltd, alongside valued contributors including Anglo-Eastern Ship Management (India) Pvt Ltd, Seaspan Crew Management India Pvt Ltd, d’Amico Ship Ishima India, The Great Eastern Shipping Company Ltd, The Maritime Union of India, Elite Mariners, Ganpat University, MASSA, Patel International, Sea Bird Medicare, Seaarland Management Services, TBO and Tolani Maritime Institute.

As the curtains fell on the 14th edition, the overarching message was clear: while ships connect nations, it is people, relationships and shared experiences that truly hold the maritime community together. Kashti 2026 celebrated precisely that spirit.

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The Maritime Anti-Corruption Network (MACN) India has called for deeper industry-wide collaboration and greater participation from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as part of efforts to strengthen integrity across India’s maritime sector.

The message emerged strongly during MACN India’s Every Conversation Matters forum held at Bharat Ratnam, Mumbai, which brought together shipping professionals, industry representatives and maritime cadets to discuss practical measures for advancing transparency, ethical conduct and collective action against corruption.

The event attracted more than 70 registered participants, along with cadets from Anglo-Eastern Ship Management and other members of the maritime community, reflecting growing industry interest in addressing integrity-related challenges through collaborative engagement.

A key focus of the discussions was the gap that often exists between corporate compliance frameworks and the realities faced by maritime personnel on the ground. Participants highlighted issues such as commercial pressures on seafarers, uncertainty during port calls, concerns over retaliation when reporting improper demands and the need for stronger organisational support systems for Masters and port agents. The importance of effective reporting mechanisms, accountability and measurable integrity standards was also emphasised.

One of the most significant outcomes of the forum was a broad consensus on the need to extend MACN’s engagement beyond traditional shipping stakeholders to include SMEs and other participants across the maritime value chain. Delegates noted that efforts to combat corruption cannot rest solely with shipping companies, as port agents, sub-agents, freight forwarders, service providers and other maritime businesses all play critical roles in maintaining supply chain integrity.

Participants observed that wider SME involvement, including through MACN’s Associate Membership framework where appropriate, could provide access to compliance resources, training opportunities, peer-learning networks and integrity awareness programmes for businesses that may lack the capacity to implement such initiatives independently.

The discussions further reinforced MACN India’s commitment to strengthening public-private collaboration, enhancing reporting and support mechanisms, and building stronger partnerships among industry stakeholders, government authorities, ports, training institutions and seafarers.

The overarching message from the event was unequivocal: strengthening maritime integrity requires participation from every stakeholder in the supply chain. As attendees stressed, every link matters, every conversation counts, and collective action remains the foundation for building a transparent, accountable and corruption-free maritime industry in India.

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Customers worldwide now benefit from flexibility and choice in their service provider with WinGD and Wärtsilä both offering global expertise and support capabilities to help shipowners and operators maximise uptime, optimise maintenance planning, and prepare their fleets for future fuels, evolving technologies and decarbonisation requirements.

“Our promise to customers is trusted, responsive and reliable support throughout the complete lifecycle of their engines; anytime, anywhere,” says Dominik Schneiter, CEO, WinGD. “This new Service Framework Agreement with Wärtsilä complements our own service offer, Global Service by WinGD, ensuring uninterrupted global support while giving customers access to the best available expertise for each engine generation. By combining the right capabilities where they add most value, the agreement provides a strong and flexible service solution for WinGD’s diverse global customer and product base.”

“This agreement confirms the continuity of a long-standing service relationship that has supported WinGD’s installed base for over a decade,” adds Roger Holm, President of Wärtsilä Marine & Executive Vice President at Wärtsilä Corporation. “It ensures that shipowners and operators continue to have access to Wärtsilä’s global service network, technical expertise and lifecycle support, including long-term lifecycle agreements, for their two-stroke engines.”

WinGD was formed in 2015 when Wärtsilä sold its two-stroke engine business to China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC). WinGD remains the OEM technology leader supporting its customers as a global service provider and licensor for all two-stroke engines under the WinGD, Wärtsilä and Sulzer names. Wärtsilä continues to offer genuine spare parts, field service, workshop capabilities, technical support, long-term agreements and decades of installed-base experience.

The Service Framework Agreement reflects the long-term relationship between the companies and provides customers with confidence that expert, authorised support will remain available throughout the operating life of their engines.

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Release By Cision

The handbook provides practical guidance for shipowners, operators and other stakeholders considering the introduction of onboard carbon capture systems (OCCS). It is intended to help them understand the considerations involved across an entire OCCS project and to facilitate discussions among relevant parties and consideration of OCCS implementation.

The introduction of OCCS requires consideration not only of the value chain from onboard CO₂ capture through to storage and other forms of final treatment, but also of mechanisms for quantifying and verifying emissions reductions.

These include MRV*1and CoC*2 systems for managing captured CO₂ and its associated attribute information.

The handbook brings together these considerations from technical, infrastructure, regulatory and emissions-reduction assessment perspectives, and can be used to support discussions among relevant stakeholders and the consideration of specific OCCS projects.

The maritime industry is pursuing various measures to reduce GHG emissions, including operational improvements, the introduction of energy-efficiency technologies and the transition to alternative fuels.

Among these options, onboard CO₂ capture, in which CO₂ is captured from ships’ exhaust gas, processed and temporarily stored on board, has attracted attention as a means of supporting GHG emissions reduction, with demonstration projects and discussions on relevant regulatory frameworks progressing internationally.

However, translating the use of OCCS into actual emissions reductions requires more than the onboard system itself. Routes must be secured for the unloading, transportation, storage, sequestration or utilisation of captured CO₂, together with mechanisms for quantifying and verifying emissions reductions.

As these considerations span technology, infrastructure, regulation and emissions-reduction assessment, a project-wide perspective is essential.

Through the development of its “Guidelines for Onboard CO₂ Capture and Storage Systems”*3, ClassNK has worked to establish safety and technical requirements for such systems, while accumulating knowledge through demonstration projects and experience through various GHG certification services.

Drawing on this knowledge and experience, the handbook has been prepared to help stakeholders considering the introduction of OCCS gain a project-wide understanding of the relevant considerations.

ClassNK will continue to support the maritime industry’s decarbonisation efforts through the provision of relevant information.

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Release By JLA Communication

Innovation Showcase Highlights Rescue Innovation

SHM Shipcare also showcased its Saffin Inflatable Rescue Boat at the conference’s Innovation Showcase. The compact, easy-to-transport vessel formed a distinctive centrepiece of the company’s on-ground presence and was displayed to give attendees a close view of modern rescue equipment used at sea.

Designed for emergency rescue operations, the Saffin boat can accommodate six persons—five seated and one on a stretcher. With a nominal length of 4.2 metres, breadth of 1.8 metres and a fully equipped weight of 778 kg, the vessel combines portability with operational readiness.

Commenting on the recognition and the showcase, Mr Hajee said, “The maritime industry is stronger when women are part of every function, from the shore to the vessel. This recognition from Maritime SheEO reflects that belief. Safety at sea depends on capable people, and the Saffin rescue boat we have showcased here is a reminder that those who design, build and operate such equipment should come from the widest possible pool of talent.”

The Champion of Diversity Award adds to the recognitions received by Mr. Hajee, who is also the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Directorate General of Shipping.

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Release By Adfactors PR

India holds the world’s fifth-largest coal reserves, yet remains heavily dependent on imports of methanol, natural gas and fertilizers. Gasification offers a route to convert that coal into these products, but commercial viability, technology access and project execution remain the hurdles. To clear them, the report calls for a single statutory window with fixed timelines and deemed approval, long-term offtake agreements to make projects bankable, and tighter execution across utilities, contractors and technology fit, drawing on lessons from China and the Talcher coal-to-urea project.

Unveiling the report, Balasaheb Darade, Managing Director, New Era Cleantech, said, “Coal gasification is an important part of India’s effort to reduce import dependence and build a self-reliant industrial base. Perspectives such as this report, which look squarely at what it will take to move from intent to implementation, are a valuable contribution as we work towards the 2030 target. The industry will immensely benefit from synergistic alignment across different bodies to make the target achievable.”

Kunwar Vijayant Singh, Managing Director and Co-Lead, Energy and Resources, Alvarez & Marsal India, said, “India has the coal and the demand. Whether we reach the 100 million tonne target will depend on how quickly projects can be approved, whether they have assured buyers, and whether they are executed with reliable utilities, accountable contractors and technology suited to Indian coal. Coordinated action on these fronts can move gasification from isolated projects to an integrated value chain.”

Key findings of the report

• India has the coal but imports the products: India holds the world’s fifth-largest coal reserves, yet imports met about 94% of its methanol consumption and about 50% of its natural gas consumption in FY25. In FY26, natural gas imports were worth about ₹1.18 lakh crore and urea imports about ₹46,000 crore.
• Coordinated approvals can accelerate delivery: Gasification projects need clearances from several authorities. Building on precedents such as PM Gati Shakti, the report suggests a single statutory window with fixed timelines and deemed approval to help projects move faster from approval to implementation.
• Assured buyers make projects bankable: The report points to long-term offtake models, such as India’s ethanol programme and the Great Plains plant in the US, and notes that Coal India will take the ammonium nitrate output of Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited’s Lakhanpur project for use in mine blasting.
• Execution lessons from Talcher: The Talcher coal-to-urea project in Odisha was 72.56% complete as of June 2026. The report points to reliable utilities, technology tailored to Indian coal and contractor accountability as lessons for future projects.
• Technology, hubs and safeguards: The report calls for R&D and pilot funding to adapt gasifiers to high-ash Indian coal, integrated industrial hubs with shared infrastructure, and environmental safeguards built into project design.

The report concludes that, with the right policy and commercial enablers in place, coal gasification can move from isolated projects to an integrated value chain and make a meaningful contribution to India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat ambitions.

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Release By Edelman

Developed by Marseille-based Syroco, Syroco Live combines a digital twin of each vessel, live operational data and weather and ocean forecasts to recommend routes and engine power settings. Recommendations are delivered on the bridge and shared with shore-based operations, so masters and operations teams work from the same voyage plan, with a focus on fuel efficiency, schedule reliability and safe navigation.

Ms Alicja Jasinska, Shipping Director of EuroAfrica said: “EuroAfrica is committed to modernising the way we operate our fleet, and fuel efficiency is one of the most direct levers we have, both for our costs and for our emissions. Today, four of our vessels use Syroco every day, giving our crews and our operations team a shared view of how each voyage can be sailed more efficiently.”

Captain Tomasz Szatkowski, master of M/V ESL Australia, said: “Syroco Live is very easy to use and provides actionable recommendations. The Syroco Onwatch support team has been particularly helpful in assisting the crew with monitoring and interpreting recommendations, which has made a real difference in confidence and efficiency at sea. A good example of this was our late 2025 voyage from Gdynia, Poland, to the Polish Antarctic station, where weather routing played a vital role in ensuring safe passage to this remote destination.”

Alex Caizergues, Founder and CEO of Syroco, added: “The decision to scale came from results measured on board, on routine liner voyages as well as on a passage to Antarctica. What matters most to us is that the crew of ESL Australia relied on the recommendations day to day. Adoption on the bridge is what turns a pilot into a fleetwide deployment.”

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Release By Intent Communications Ltd