Centurion University signs landmark MoU with Directorate General of Shipping; strengthens global collaboration with Warsash Maritime School
Mumbai /Bhubaneswar (By Abhishek Mohanty): The School of Maritime Studies, Centurion University of Technology and Management, announced the signing of a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Seaborne Ship Management Private Limited—an incubated centre of the School of Maritime Studies—and the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), India, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, during India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai.
This MoU marks a significant milestone in advancing India’s maritime training ecosystem and is strategically aligned with Maritime India Vision 2030, the Sagarmala Programme, and the Skill India Mission.
Under this collaboration, Seaborne Ship Management Pvt. Ltd. will establish the Advanced MAN Model Ship Handling Centre, India—a cutting-edge simulation and research facility designed to deliver world-class ship handling, maneuvering, and port operations training,
Integrate AI-assisted navigation tools and digital port-optimisation models
Support port, coastal, and riverine navigation under realistic conditions
Feature dual-fuel (LNG & conventional) simulators enabling India’s green-shipping transition,
Align competency development with IMO and DG Shipping training frameworks.
Impact highlights are to
develop highly skilled marine pilots, masters, deck officers, and port professionals, bridge critical skill gaps in pilotage, navigation efficiency, and emergency preparedness, support simulation-driven port-design and port-modernisation initiatives, create 750+ direct and indirect employment opportunities,
strengthen India’s maritime research and innovation capabilities.
The MoU was formally signed by Capt.Vikas Patra, Group Managing Director, Seaborne Ship Management Pvt. Ltd. and Director, School of Maritime Studies, Centurion University, and Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, Government of India. The Directorate General of Shipping has provided essential policy guidance, regulatory direction, and technical oversight to ensure global-standard maritime training outcomes.
As part of this growing collaboration, India’s Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, along with Capt.Vikas Patra, Director of the School of Maritime Studies, Centurion University, visited Warsash Maritime School (WMS), Solent University.
They were warmly welcomed by Deputy Dean – Education, Matthew Stewart, and Professor James Knowles along with senior members of the WMS team.
During the visit,
Senior lecturers Martin Greenslade and Edmund Hadnett demonstrated WMS’s world-class Ship Handling Centre, showcasing its advanced simulation capabilities that up-skill maritime professionals from across the globe.
The delegation met with Professor James Knowles, Vice-Chancellor of Solent University.
They toured the newly launched South Coast Institute of Technology, exploring opportunities for joint research, skills development, and academic collaboration.
Matthew Stewart, Deputy Dean – Education, stated,
“WMS is proud to have hosted a visit from the Ministry of Shipping to strengthen our global partnerships in ship handling excellence. By bringing India’s rapidly developing maritime sector together with our international expertise in ship manoeuvring and simulation training, we can highlight the significant opportunities emerging in this critical discipline.
We look forward to advancing skills, supporting seafarer development, and contributing to safer, more efficient ship operations across the global maritime community.”
A New Chapter for India’s Maritime Future
With the establishment of the Advanced MAN Model Ship Handling Centre, India, and enhanced cooperation with globally renowned institutions such as Warsash Maritime School, India moves closer to its vision of becoming a world leader in maritime innovation, safe port operations, green shipping, and future-ready maritime talent.
