The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Government of India, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Maritime Research Center (MRC), represented by its Founder and Director, Dr. (Cdr.) Arnab Das, to strengthen collaboration in addressing critical challenges across the maritime sector through technology-driven and policy-oriented solutions.
The partnership aims to establish a long-term institutional framework focused on advancing research, innovation, capacity building, and sustainable maritime governance. Central to the collaboration is the Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) framework developed by MRC, which promotes the integration of science, technology, policy, and stakeholder engagement for comprehensive management of underwater, coastal, and maritime ecosystems.
The MoU covers four key priority areas: Underwater Radiated Noise (URN), Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), Sediment Management, and Biofouling Management. These domains are increasingly important for ensuring navigational safety, environmental sustainability, marine ecosystem protection, and efficient maritime operations.
To facilitate effective implementation, the collaboration will follow a structured “Outreach–Engage–Sustain” approach designed to promote stakeholder participation, knowledge dissemination, and long-term institutional impact. The framework seeks to encourage collaboration among government agencies, industry stakeholders, academia, and research institutions.
Through this partnership, DG Shipping and MRC aim to enhance situational awareness in the maritime domain, strengthen policy development and regulatory frameworks, support sustainable maritime practices, and build technical and institutional capacities across the sector.
The initiative is expected to contribute significantly to safer, more efficient, and environmentally responsible maritime operations, while supporting India’s broader vision of strengthening maritime security, promoting sustainable blue economy growth, and advancing innovation-led maritime governance.