The foundation stone for the construction of the Centre of Excellence building at the Indian Maritime University was laid on 20 January by Dr. Malini V Shankar, the university’s vice-chancellor. The construction is expected to be completed by July 2025 and will be overseen by key university officials and the Chief Engineer of CPWD, Kolkata. The university, which falls under the Ministry of Shipping, aims to establish the Centre of Excellence in Maritime to promote research, training, and industry partnerships within the maritime sector.
The objectives of the Centre of Excellence include conducting research and development initiatives, providing education and training programs for students and industry professionals, and fostering collaborations with shipping companies and port authorities. Research projects focusing on energy efficiency in ship index and fuel optimization are already underway, with plans for further studies in alternate fuels and artificial intelligence applications in the maritime sector. The establishment of the Dr. Ravi K Mehrotra Centre of Excellence in Maritime at the IMU Kolkata Campus is made possible by an endowment from Dr. Mehrotra, an alumnus and founder of the Foresight Group, UK.
An MoU was signed with M/s RK Mehrotra Holdings Limited for a donation of 1.5 MUSD over five years to support the Centre of Excellence’s objectives. The donation will also cover the construction costs of the building at the IMU Kolkata campus. The Centre of Excellence aims to empower future seafarers through research, innovation, and sustainable solutions for the maritime sector. Preparatory works are currently underway, and construction is set to begin soon, marking a significant step towards enhancing the university’s capabilities in maritime innovation and research.
