Kerala to Establish Maritime Education Hub in Kollam.

The Kerala Maritime Board has issued a call for expressions of interest to develop a cutting-edge maritime education hub in Neendakara, Kollam, through a public-private partnership. This ambitious project aims to offer a comprehensive range of courses in the maritime field, including marine engineering, maritime law, marine technology, nautical science, naval architecture, and offshore engineering. The hub will provide placement and career development opportunities to help meet the industry’s growing demand for skilled professionals.

With India’s ship management sector projected to grow at an annual rate of 6%, board officials emphasize the need to modernize training to keep up with advancements in maritime technology and global shipping regulations. Current programs, they note, often lack essential training in areas such as environmental management and digital navigation.

Officials highlight a potential talent gap, as the demand for seafarers rises in line with increasing shipping volumes. India’s share of the global seafaring workforce is anticipated to grow from 10-12% to 20% over the next decade. Additionally, the expansion of India’s coastal and cruise tourism sector is expected to create more opportunities for trained seafarers.

The maritime education hub in Kerala will benefit from the state’s thriving maritime ecosystem, which is well-suited for partnerships between industry and academia. These collaborations could facilitate internships, research, knowledge exchange, and skill development programs. Kerala’s strategic location along the Arabian Sea, with direct access to international shipping routes, strengthens its role as a crucial hub for trade and maritime activities in the Indian Ocean region. Officials also point to Kerala’s rich maritime heritage as an asset that could shape the identity and offerings of the proposed institute.

The Shipping Ministry, under the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, has outlined 39 initiatives to establish a robust innovation ecosystem within the maritime sector, focusing on elevating education, research, and training to global standards.

HBL