Maritime India Foundation signs MoUs with IITs and IMU under MoPSW

CHENNAI : In a landmark step towards building a structured innovation ecosystem for India’s maritime sector, the Maritime India Foundation, as the implementing agency for the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Government of India, has formalised Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, and Indian Maritime University, Chennai to establish Maritime Innovation Hubs.

On 5 May 2026, at the premises of the Chennai Port Authority, MoUs were signed with the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras), Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), and the Indian Maritime University, Chennai (IMU Chennai).

The MoU with the fourth hub, the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT Kharagpur), will be signed subsequently. The ceremony was presided over by S. Viswanathan, IAS, Managing Director, Maritime India Foundation, and Chairperson of Chennai Port Authority.

Representing IIT Madras at the ceremony were Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean, Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research (ICSR); Prof. K. Murali, Head, Department of Ocean Engineering; and Dr. D. Kumaran Raju, Principal Scientist, NTCPWC. IIT Bombay was represented by Prof. Manasa Ranjan Behera and Prof. V.K. Srineash, both from the Department of Ocean Engineering.

The Indian Maritime University was represented by Dr. Y.V.V. Satya Narayana Murthy, Associate Dean, I-SEAS; Dr. Shibu K.M., Deputy Registrar (i/c), Consultancy, Training and Research Section; and S. Jayakumar, Training Consultant, Consultancy, Training and Research Section.

With the formalisation of the MoUs, the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative program now advances into its execution phase, where the MIHs will onboard, engage, and mentor 36 startups selected to work on 40 innovation projects addressing critical challenges in the Indian maritime sector.

Through these MoUs, Maritime India Foundation and Maritime Innovation Hubs under the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative program will provide a platform for the Indian maritime sector to share real-world operational challenges with startups.

This will enable the development of innovative, advanced technology solutions, driving transformation and modernisation of the sector while promoting indigenous innovation in line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and the national mandate of “Make in India, Make for the World.”

Source : Port Wings