In a significant step towards strengthening India’s maritime sector under the Sagarmala initiative, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar has launched a specialised MTech programme in Maritime Engineering aimed at creating skilled talent for the country’s growing port, shipping, and coastal infrastructure sectors.
The programme comes at a time when India is focusing on modernising ports, improving maritime logistics, and promoting emerging sectors such as green shipping and the blue economy. According to Prof. Srinivasan Chandrasekaran, Head of the Maritime Engineering Department at IIT Gandhinagar, India needs engineers who understand the complete maritime ecosystem, including ships, cargo movement, port design, coastal systems, and logistics.
“Gujarat has the longest coastline in India with a huge demand in the maritime sector. If India wants to develop world-class ports and maritime infrastructure, it also needs engineers who understand the entire ecosystem rather than isolated components,” he said.
Unlike existing programmes in ocean engineering, naval architecture, or marine engineering offered by select IITs, the Maritime Engineering course at IIT Gandhinagar will cover a broader range of subjects including port and harbour design, coastal protection systems, shipbuilding, renewable energy, and maritime logistics.
The interdisciplinary programme will be open to graduates from civil, mechanical, electrical, and related engineering streams. It will include field visits to ports, harbours, and shipyards, seaboard training, and hands-on laboratory work. The curriculum will also integrate emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence to improve maritime safety and operational efficiency.
Highlighting AI applications, Prof. Chandrasekaran noted that AI-driven systems can help stabilise vessels during GPS failures caused by extreme weather, reducing risks such as cargo loss and capsizing.
The institute claims that no other university in India currently offers a dedicated MTech or PhD programme in Maritime Engineering. Globally, only a limited number of universities in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and parts of Europe offer similar programmes, positioning India to emerge as a regional leader in maritime education and research.
To strengthen international exposure, IIT Gandhinagar has established collaborations with institutions including University of Naples Federico II, Changwon National University, and Kasetsart University for student exchanges, faculty collaboration, and joint academic initiatives.
The programme will admit both Indian and international students and will not require a GATE qualification for admission. The approved intake includes 15 regular seats and 10 industry-sponsored seats, taking the total capacity to 25 students.
Industry participation forms a major component of the initiative, with organisations including the Indian Coast Guard, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Cochin Port Authority, and Chennai Port Authority contributing through curriculum support, sponsorships, and academic collaboration.
The institute said the programme is designed to be industry-driven, focusing on practical challenges in port operations, maritime logistics, shipbuilding, and coastal infrastructure development. Graduates are expected to find opportunities across port management, shipping, logistics, and maritime infrastructure sectors.
Looking ahead, IIT Gandhinagar plans to expand the programme’s intake in line with industry demand and placement outcomes, while similar undergraduate programmes may also emerge in institutions such as Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya in the future.
