Maritime Research Center

Empowering Coastal Communities with Technology and Innovation In November 2024, our team had the privilege of meeting with Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal (MAVIM), Ratnagiri Branch, as part of our field visit to the coasts of Ratnagiri and Guhagar in Maharashtra. MAVIM, under the Women and Child Development Department of the Maharashtra government, is focused on empowering women from marginalised communities and is key in promoting financial inclusion, skill development, and sustainable livelihoods. During the visit, our team's Research Engineers, Shreya Waghmare and Ayush Sawadh, introduced the Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) model and presented our advanced Average Productivity Yield (APY) analysis tool. This innovative tool leverages internet data to predict seaweed yields with an impressive 98% accuracy. We also discussed how integrating on-ground data could improve the model’s accuracy to 100%, significantly boosting seaweed farming productivity. The MAVIM representatives were excited about this technology's potential to enhance agricultural practices and support sustainable livelihoods for seaweed farmers. They expressed willingness to provide on-ground support by connecting us with local farmers and assisting in the model’s practical implementation. Looking forward to collaborating with MAVIM and working together to create a lasting impact on coastal communities! 🌍🤝 Pictures captured by: Ayush Sawadh and SHREYA WAGHMARE from the Maritime Research Center NirDhwani Technology Pvt Ltd, ClimaCrew, Arnab Das, Bhushan Jadhav , Pranit Koli, Swapnil Tandel, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India .   #TechForGood #SustainableFarming #SeaweedFarming #Empowerment #MAVIM #CoastalCommunities #Innovation #LivelihoodDevelopment #Sustainability #ResearchAndDevelopment 

We are thrilled to have participated in the ‘GeoSmart India 2024: Hydrospatial Infrastructure and Blue Economy Summit’ today (December 5, 2024) in Hyderabad. Dr. (Cdr) Arnab Das, Managing Director of NirDhwani Technology Pvt Ltd, actively engaged in Session 2 of the event, titled "Digital Seas: Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services and Delivery Platform." The session delved into critical topics such as the challenges and barriers to integrating geospatial and space technologies into India's blue economy initiatives, as well as the core principles and technological components essential for leveraging these tools to enhance India’s marine resource management. Speakers also shared various success stories, where geospatial technologies, IoT, and satellite data have been instrumental in advancing environmental monitoring, resource management, and sustainable development within India’s blue economy. Dr. Das highlighted our ongoing work, particularly emphasizing our team’s progress in research and technology innovation related to Marine Spatial Planning. This approach fosters collaboration among multiple ocean stakeholders—such as energy, industry, government, conservation, and recreation—to make informed and coordinated decisions for the sustainable use of marine resources. 🌊 Swipe right to view images from the session at this insightful event! 📸 Praful Talera, Maritime Research Center, Devleena Bhattacharjee, ClimaCrew, Geospatial World, Deepak Samuel, kapil dev bahl, Ministry of Earth Sciences , Ministry of Ports , Shipping and Waterways (India), Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India , Indian Navy , National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management.  #GeoSmartIndia2024 #BlueEconomy #MarineSpatialPlanning #GeospatialTechnology #SustainableDevelopment #BlueEconomyInitiatives #EnvironmentalMonitoring #DigitalSeas #MarineResourceManagement #InnovationInTech #ClimateChange #HydrospatialInfrastructure #TechForGood

On this Indian Navy Day 2024, the Maritime Research Center, Pune, proudly salutes the unwavering courage, commitment, and excellence of the Indian Navy. As a center dedicated to maritime research, we acknowledge the crucial role of the Indian Navy in safeguarding our nation's interests, both on the seas and in global strategic landscapes. The relentless pursuit of technological advancement, tactical proficiency, and operational readiness is what sets the Indian Navy apart as a global maritime powerhouse. The Indian Navy has, over the years, evolved into one of the most formidable naval forces in the world, ensuring the safety and security of India’s vast coastline and maritime interests. From humanitarian missions to combating piracy, the Navy continues to serve as a symbol of India’s maritime strength and resilience. Observed annually on December 4, this day marks the significant victory of the Indian Navy during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani War, when they played a pivotal role in securing the nation's maritime borders. Today, we extend our deepest gratitude to the brave sailors, officers, and all personnel who serve with dedication, making our oceans safer and our country stronger. Your sacrifices and steadfastness ensure that India remains a force to be reckoned with in the global maritime community. Let us honor and celebrate the Indian Navy's spirit of valor, innovation, and unity. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳⚓ Arnab Das, Ministry of Defence of India, INDIAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY, MyGov India, Ministry of Ports , Shipping and Waterways (India). #IndianNavyDay #MaritimeResearchCenter #IndianNavy #NavalStrength #Pune #Defence #JaiHind

From aquaculture to renewable energy, the #BlueEconomy is transforming the way we interact with our oceans and waterways. Through this video, dive into the diverse sectors that make up this exciting and rapidly evolving field. Learn how each one contributes to a more sustainable future, from the growth of marine resources to innovative renewable energy solutions. What questions does this video answer? 🔍How aquaculture is driving sustainable food production 🔍The role of marine renewable energy in combating climate change Let's explore how UDA is helping us navigate challenges and unlock new opportunities for a thriving Blue Economy. 🎬 Watch now and be part of the change! https://lnkd.in/dk3-vh4K Arnab Das, J Cathrine, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India , Ministry of Earth Sciences , Ministry of Ports , Shipping and Waterways (India), UN Ocean Decade, UN Environment Programme, International Maritime Organization. #Sustainability #MarineInnovation #RenewableEnergy #Aquaculture #OceanConservation #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #BlueEconomy

📽️ Check out this video that encapsulates key takeaways from our webinar on the Indian Ocean Security Framework, hosted in October 2024 in collaboration with the Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies and NirDhwani Technology Pvt Ltd. The webinar brought together experts and thought leaders to discuss the evolving security dynamics in this critical region. From strategic security dynamics to emerging technological challenges, our experts provided valuable perspectives on ensuring stability and cooperation in the Indian Ocean region. Join us in exploring the future of maritime security in the Indian Ocean! 🌏 Watch the full video on YouTube- https://lnkd.in/dPRzjZKZ. Maritime Research Center, Ajay Kumar, Arnab Das, Praful Talera, Jeffrey Payne, Nilanthi Samaranayake, Chuck Marks, Satheesh Shenoi, Geoffrey G., National Defense University, National Institute of Strategic Studies , FICCI, United States Institute of Peace, Excel Industries Ltd., Ministry of External Affairs, India, Ministry of Defence of India, Indian Navy , Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur, U.S. india Business Council, The Brookings Institution, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Carnegie India. #IndianOceanSecurity #MaritimeSecurity #Geopolitics #RegionalCooperation #NESA #MaritimeResearch #StrategicStudies #WebinarRecap

Today, our Founder and Director, Dr. (Cdr) Arnab Das, had a crucial discussion with Amb. Raj Srivastava, the Dean of the Sushma Swaraj Institute of Foreign Services, Ministry of External Affairs, India, in New Delhi. The meeting focused on our ongoing Underwater Domain Awareness (#UDA) projects, which are aligned with key areas such as Marine Spatial Planning, Coastal Management, Blue Economy, and more. Dr. Das explored potential future avenues for #collaboration with the institute to enhance the capabilities of current and future diplomats. A key highlight was his comprehensive presentation of the UDA Framework, emphasising its potential in addressing pressing challenges in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). With #sustainable maritime strategies becoming increasingly important, #UDA is positioned to play a crucial role in safeguarding the region's marine and environmental future. In 2022, during his official visit to #Europe, Dr. Das had the opportunity to meet Amb. Raj Kumar Srivastava, who was then the Indian Ambassador to Croatia. They discussed the relevance of the UDA Framework in light of ongoing geopolitical and geostrategic developments. Amb. Srivastava highlighted the UDA’s potential as a powerful #diplomatic tool for strengthening relations with EU countries under India’s SAGAR vision, should it be effectively managed. We are excited about these important initiatives' continued #collaboration and progress, which aim to shape a sustainable future for our oceans and maritime governance. Ministry of Earth Sciences , Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India .  #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #BlueEconomy #MarineSpatialPlanning #CoastalManagement #IndianOceanRegion #SAGARVision #Diplomacy #SustainableDevelopment #Collaboration #Innovation #MaritimeSecurity #Leadership

What is Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)? Where did its concept originate from? What is the current status of MSP? These are some of the questions that we wish to address today. MSP is a holistic approach to managing the marine environment that considers marine areas' ecological, economic, social, and cultural values. The concept of MSP originated in the 1960s and 1970s and was further developed with the adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982. Many countries and regions around the world have adopted MSP to manage their marine resources, and the European Union has been actively promoting MSP to achieve good environmental status in its marine waters. Want to dive deeper into how MSP is being used for Sediment Management, Fresh Water Management, and Underwater Radiated Noise Management? Check out this insightful article from UDA Digest to learn more! 👉 https://bit.ly/417OxEE Arnab Das J Cathrine, European Union, United Nations, UN Environment Programme , International Maritime Organization, Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India , Ministry of Earth Sciences , Indian Navy , INDIAN COAST GUARD. #MarineSpatialPlanning #Sustainability #MarineConservation #EU #OceanManagement #EnvironmentalStatus #MarineResources #MSP

Did you know that Tamil Nadu records the highest number of seaweed species, making it the largest seaweed hub in India? According to NITI Aayog, India harvests around 33,345 tonnes (wet weight) of #seaweed annually from natural beds, primarily in #TamilNadu, with approximately 5,000 families involved in the harvest. However, #Maharashtra has a significant shortage of seaweed and often has to source its supply from Tamil Nadu. This gap presents an opportunity for growth in Maharashtra’s seaweed #production sector. As part of our recent field visit to Ratnagiri and Guhagar in Maharashtra, we aimed to understand the region's seaweed #production capabilities, identify necessary support for #technology deployment, and explore ways to assist in data collection efforts. Through this visit, we also realised that many local #farmers must be aware of seaweed's potential. Therefore, awareness programs are crucial to #educate coastal communities about the commercial benefits and uses of #seaweed. Take a look at some of the #images from our field visit below, which our team captured. 📸 Pictures taken by: Ayush Sawadh and SHREYA WAGHMARE from Maritime Research Center NirDhwani Technology Pvt Ltd, ClimaCrew, Arnab Das, Bhushan Jadhav, Pranit Koli, Swapnil Tandel, Ministry of Earth Sciences , Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India . #Seaweed #TamilNadu #Maharashtra #CoastalCommunities #SustainableFarming #SeaweedProduction #TechnologyDeployment #AwarenessPrograms #MarineAgriculture #NITIAayog #Ratnagiri #Guhar #Innovation #DataCollection #MarineResources

Did you know that biofouling—defined as the undesirable biological growth on exposed underwater surfaces of vessels—poses significant challenges to commercial ships, boats, and recreational yachts? For centuries, the maritime community and shipbuilders have been working to address its adverse impacts. In this context, Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) plays a critical role in protecting vessels from biofouling. India has the potential to become a leader in developing antifouling systems tailored to local needs. However, to make this possible, capacity building is needed in areas such as hardware, underwater communications, domain knowledge, and skill development across academic institutions, industries, and relevant organisations like the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the United Nations. Read more about the challenges and solutions surrounding antifouling in our UDA Digest article 👉 https://bit.ly/4g4VTxe Maritime Research Center, NirDhwani Technology Pvt Ltd, Arnab Das, UN Environment Programme, Ministry of Ports , Shipping and Waterways (India), Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India , Ministry of Earth Sciences , Ministry of External Affairs, India. #Biofouling #Antifouling #MaritimeIndustry #UnderwaterDomainAwareness #India #Shipping #MarineTechnology #IMO #UnitedNations #Innovation #CapacityBuilding

The Maritime Research Center, in partnership with NirDhwani Technology Pvt Ltd, recently conducted a field visit to #Ratnagiri (Maharashtra) and its neighbouring areas to study seaweed cultivation practices. Led by our Research Engineers, Ayush Sawadh and SHREYA WAGHMARE, the team engaged with local communities, as well as governance and administration officials, to assess the needs of farmers and the broader community for seaweed production. 🔍 Key Objectives of the Field Visit: 1️⃣ Sensitize Coastal Communities: Raise awareness about the Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) Framework. 2️⃣Field Experimental Set-Up: Deploy systems for data and sample collection. 3️⃣ Impact Assessment: Evaluate the UDA Framework’s impact on local communities and corporates involved in coastal activities. 4️⃣Gap Analysis: Identify areas for improvement in strategy implementation for the future. We’d like to thank the ClimaCrew team for their support during our field visit. This initiative is a step toward understanding the immense potential of seaweed cultivation and creating sustainable solutions for coastal communities. Stay tuned for further insights from this exciting project! Arnab Das, Devleena Bhattacharjee, Bhushan Jadhav, Pranit Koli, Swapnil Tandel, Ministry of Earth Sciences , Ministry of Environment, Forests & Climate Change, Government of India . #SeaweedCultivation #CoastalCommunities #Sustainability #UDAFramework #MarineResearch #FieldVisit #MarineScience #ImpactAssessment #Innovation