**Executive Summary**
On April 24, 2026, two Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged to enhance India’s maritime education, research, and capacity building. These agreements between the University of Delhi, the Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity (CMEC), and the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) aim to bridge the gap between academia and industry. A key goal is to increase India’s contribution to the global seafaring workforce to 20% by 2030.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Institutional Collaborations**
* An MoU was signed between the University of Delhi and CMEC to boost maritime education, research, and skill development.
* A secondary MoU was exchanged between RIS and the Delhi School of Economics (DSE) to promote joint programs in public policy research and training.
* The partnerships focus on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration between academic institutions and policy bodies.
**Strategic Maritime Vision**
* The initiatives align with the "Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047" and the goal of achieving a "Viksit Bharat."
* National maritime growth is guided by the SAGAR and MAHASAGAR doctrines, emphasizing regional cooperation and security.
* The sector targets a robust talent pipeline to meet the demand for world-class maritime professionals.
**Key Areas of Focus**
* Academic development will target emerging domains such as green shipping, maritime logistics, and supply chain management.
* Cooperation includes the development of academic frameworks, joint research projects, and professional counseling for students.
* Sector transformation is supported by port modernization, multi-modal connectivity, digitalization, and the Sagarmala program.
**Impact Analysis**
**Students and Researchers**
**Impact**
Students will have access to new career avenues in high-growth maritime fields and specialized training programs.
**Action Required**
Engage with the newly developed maritime courses, research projects, and professional counseling services.
**University of Delhi and Delhi School of Economics (DSE)**
**Impact**
These institutions are now responsible for integrating maritime studies and public policy research into their academic frameworks.
**Action Required**
Collaborate with CMEC and RIS to design and implement training programs and joint research initiatives.
**Maritime Industry and Policy Institutions**
**Impact**
The industry will benefit from a more qualified workforce and research-backed policy innovations.
**Action Required**
Support the transition of trained youth into the workforce to meet the 2030 target of providing 20% of the global seafaring workforce.
Key Entities Referenced
Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: The strategic long-term roadmap guiding India's maritime sector transformation and goal of becoming a global maritime leader.
Sagarmala: The flagship program of the Indian government aimed at port-led development, modernization, and maritime infrastructure growth.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The primary central ministry responsible for the development and regulation of India's maritime sector and national waterways.
University of Delhi: The lead academic institution involved in the Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen maritime education, research, and skill development.
Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity (CMEC): A specialized center under the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) that collaborates with academia for maritime policy and capacity building.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Sarbananda Sonowal Highlights Transformative
Role of Maritime Sector at MoU Exchange
Ceremony Between University of Delhi & CMEC
at RIS
“MoU Aims at Empowering Youth as Nation Builders Through
High-Growth Careers in India’s Maritime Sector": Sarbananda
Sonowal
“Under PM Narendra Modi ji’s vision, India is aligning
education, policy & innovation to emerge as a global maritime
leader:” Sarbananda Sonowal
“MoU between University of Delhi & CMEC to boost maritime
education, research and skill development:” Sarbananda
Sonowal
Posted On: 24 APR 2026 8:12PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal today underscored the
transformative potential of India’s maritime sector in driving economic growth, as two key Memoranda of
Understanding (MoUs) were exchanged at the Delhi School of Economics.
The MoU between the University of Delhi and the Centre for Maritime Economy and Connectivity
(CMEC) at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) aims to strengthen
maritime education, research and capacity building in alignment with India’s long-term maritime vision.
Addressing a seminar on “Blue Economy: Its Imperatives for a Viksit Bharat,” Union Minister
Sarbananda Sonowal said, “As we move towards Viksit Bharat, the maritime sector will play an even
more transformative role in driving India’s economic growth, trade competitiveness and sustainable
development. By strengthening the maritime talent pipeline—the core objective of this MoU—we are
building a robust ecosystem to meet the growing demand for world-class maritime professionals, both in
quality and scale, positioning India as a global leader in the sector. Under PM Narendra Modi ji’s vision,
India is aligning education, policy & innovation to emerge as a global maritime leader.”
Highlighting India’s strategic maritime advantages, the minister noted that with a coastline of over 11,000
kilometres and 111 national waterways (NWs), strengthening the maritime ecosystem is a national
imperative. Sonowal emphasised that the government’s maritime vision, guided by the SAGAR and
MAHASAGAR doctrines, reflects a commitment to regional cooperation, maritime security and shared
prosperity.The MoU seeks to foster interdisciplinary collaboration between academia and policy institutions, with a
focus on skill development, capacity building and research in emerging maritime domains. Key areas of
cooperation include development of academic frameworks for maritime courses, joint research projects,
training programs, knowledge dissemination and professional counselling for students.
Sonowal described the collaboration as a “forward-looking step” that bridges academia and industry,
creating opportunities for youth to engage with India’s expanding maritime sector. The Shipping Minister
stressed that human capital will be central to India’s maritime ambitions, noting that the country’s
seafaring workforce has nearly tripled in the past 12 years and now contributes about 12% of the global
maritime workforce, with a target to reach 20% by 2030. “MoU between University of Delhi & CMEC to
boost maritime education, research and skill development”, Sonowal said.
The Union Minister also highlighted that India’s maritime transformation is being driven by an integrated
approach encompassing port-modernisation, multi-modal connectivity, sustainability initiatives and
digitalisation. He pointed to flagship programs such as Sagarmala and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
as key enablers of this growth trajectory.
The collaboration is expected to open new avenues for students and researchers in fields such as maritime
logistics, green shipping, supply chain management and maritime policy, contributing to the broader
vision of a sustainable and globally competitive Blue Economy.
During the event, an additional MoU was also exchanged between RIS and the Delhi School of
Economics (DSE) to promote joint programmes in public policy research and training.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials, academic leaders, faculty members and students, marking
a significant step towards integrating education, research and policy in India’s maritime sector.
***
Mahesh Iyengar/Indu Yadav
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