Union Minister Shantanu Thakur inaugurates The Maritime Hub – Maritime Centre of Excellence in Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar (By Abhishek Mohanty): In a significant step toward strengthening India’s maritime capabilities and supporting the nation’s expanding blue economy, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, inaugurated The Maritime Hub – Maritime Centre of Excellence at Bharatpur, Bhubaneswar.
The Maritime Hub has been established as a premier centre for maritime skill development, research, and industry integration, aimed at bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world maritime operations while fostering innovation, collaboration, and professional excellence within the maritime ecosystem.
During his visit, the Minister toured the facilities of The Maritime Hub and interacted with maritime professionals, faculty members, and trainees. He appreciated the initiative as an important step toward strengthening India’s maritime ecosystem and enhancing the country’s capacity to develop skilled maritime professionals for the global shipping industry.
On this occasion, Thakur presented the Certificate of Excellence to Vikas Patra, recognizing his leadership and contribution to advancing maritime education, skill development, and industry collaboration.
The Certificate of Excellence is part of a global professional recognition framework supported by The Nautical Institute (NI) and The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST)—two internationally respected professional bodies widely regarded as apex institutions setting global standards for nautical science and marine engineering.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening maritime skill development infrastructure and promoting industry-driven training initiatives that align with India’s vision of becoming a leading maritime nation.
The inauguration of The Maritime Hub – Maritime Centre of Excellence marks an important milestone for maritime skill development in eastern India. The centre aims to serve as a dynamic platform for professional training, research collaboration, knowledge exchange, and industry engagement.
By bringing together expertise from across the maritime sector, The Maritime Hub seeks to nurture the next generation of maritime professionals, encourage innovation, and contribute meaningfully to India’s growing presence in the global maritime industry.
