Maritime intelligence leader Lloyd’s List Intelligence will open a new Centre of Excellence for Data and Technology in Chennai this November, marking a major expansion of its global footprint and reinforcing India’s growing role in the maritime technology landscape.
The new facility will be among the company’s largest global offices, creating over 200 jobs in data analysis, software development, and quality assurance. The Chennai team will play a key role in processing and delivering more than one billion maritime data points daily, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of insights provided to customers worldwide.
Chennai, known for its maritime heritage and home to the Indian Maritime University, has rapidly evolved into a technology and engineering hub. The Tamil Nadu government has extended full support for the initiative, formalized through a memorandum of understanding signed on September 3, 2025.
According to Lloyd’s List Intelligence CEO Waqas Samad, the new centre will be central to the company’s mission of enabling customers to understand and manage risks across global maritime operations. “Our new Chennai Centre of Excellence brings together world-class talent to enhance our products and services, strengthen data security, and accelerate innovation so that our customers can act with confidence in an increasingly complex trading environment,” he said.
Samad highlighted the strategic importance of the Asia-Pacific region, describing it as one of the fastest-growing markets for maritime data and technology solutions. He noted that India’s strong maritime focus, skilled workforce, and government support — including the recently announced $8 billion package for the shipping and maritime industry — make Chennai an ideal choice for investment.
Lloyd’s List Intelligence operates ‘Seasearcher’, a comprehensive platform serving stakeholders across the shipping value chain, including owners, charterers, insurers, financiers, and regulators. The platform provides real-time vessel tracking, ownership details, and compliance analytics, helping users navigate complex regulatory and sanctions environments.
The company also provides data feeds via API for integration with client systems, supporting use cases such as sanctions compliance, trade-based money laundering (TBML) detection, risk assessment, and maritime insurance analysis.
In 2025, Lloyd’s List Intelligence acquired Infospectrum, a leading counterparty risk appraisal firm, to deepen its market expertise. It also leverages the Lloyd’s agent network, which operates in major ports worldwide, supplying critical intelligence on vessel movements, port incidents, and casualty data.
These capabilities, combined with the Lloyd’s List shipping publication’s editorial expertise, give the company a unique advantage — merging deep industry knowledge with cutting-edge data analytics.
Beyond shipping, Lloyd’s List Intelligence is now expanding into the trade intelligence domain, particularly in TBML monitoring for both bulk and containerized cargo.
Samad emphasized that the company’s growth strategy includes building, partnering, and, where appropriate, acquiring complementary businesses. Recent collaborations include partnerships with Siglar Carbon AS on maritime emissions analytics and Idwal Marine Services Ltd on vessel condition intelligence — enabling customers to assess climate risks, carbon performance, and operational integrity within a unified platform.
With the establishment of its Chennai Centre of Excellence, Lloyd’s List Intelligence is set to deepen its engagement with India’s maritime ecosystem and strengthen its leadership in global maritime intelligence and technology.
