IIT Bombay, DGMA partner to advance maritime research and technology
The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote cooperation in maritime research, technology development, education and capacity building.
The partnership will bring together the technical expertise and institutional resources of IIT Bombay with the maritime administration experience of DGMA. The MoU is expected to support research and innovation to address emerging needs in India's maritime and shipping sector.
Under the agreement, the two institutions can undertake joint research and development projects, technical studies and feasibility assessments. The MoU was signed on August 12, 2026, by Shrikrishna V Kulkarni, dean of research and development at IIT Bombay, and Sushil Khopde, additional director general of maritime administration.
IIT Bombay, DGMA MoU: Maritime engineering, sustainability
The MoU covers several areas, including maritime and ocean engineering, shipbuilding, ship repair and recycling, shipping technology and maritime administration. Sustainability and decarbonisation in the maritime sector will also form part of the collaboration.
This partnership will also provide opportunities for student internships and dissertation projects related to maritime technologies and applications. The MoU further provides for developing research infrastructure, conducting training and capacity-building programmes, and organising workshops and knowledge-sharing activities.
IIT Bombay and DGMA may also collaborate on research-based technical and policy support for the maritime sector. A key objective of the partnership is to use IIT Bombay's research capabilities and technical expertise to help address technological and developmental challenges faced by India's maritime industry.
The Ocean Engineering Group at IIT Bombay is expected to play an active role in the collaboration. The initiative aims to strengthen government-academia engagement and support research, innovation and sustainable development across India's maritime sector.
The MoU provides a framework for sustained cooperation between the two institutions and could support future research projects, technical studies, training programmes and knowledge-sharing initiatives in the maritime domain.