Union Minister Shri Sonowal inaugurates India’s First Maritime Simulation Centre at AMET University

India’s maritime education community achieved a major milestone as the country’s first Maritime Simulation Centre was inaugurated at AMET Knowledge Park, Maersk’s Centre of Excellence, Thenpattinam near Chennai. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal led the ceremony, joined by top officials including Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, Peter Winther-Schmidt, Head of Trade and Innovation at the Consulate General of Denmark, Bangalore, senior A.P. Moller-Maersk delegates, and a large gathering of future maritime professionals.

The state-of-the-art facility represents a strategic partnership between the Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET) and A.P. Moller-Maersk. Launched with an investment of INR 13.5 Crore, including a substantial INR 6.5 Crore (USD 750,000) contribution from the A.P. Moller Foundation, the facility marks more than 25 years of collaboration between the academic powerhouse and global shipping leader.

The new Simulation Centre features Full Mission Simulators for Deck and Engine operations, sophisticated Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS), and next-generation Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) labs. These immersive technologies will help maritime cadets learn practical skills such as watchkeeping, steering, collision avoidance, navigation light identification, and engine troubleshooting in lifelike scenarios before heading to sea.

AMET University’s growth from a modest start with just 14 cadets to a globally recognized institution highlights its ongoing dedication to nurturing world-class maritime talent. The new centre is designed to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world experience, producing professionals prepared for the complex demands of modern shipping.

Maersk’s commitment to supporting maritime education and career development is reflected in this investment. By providing advanced simulation resources, the partnership benefits not just Maersk’s workforce, but the entire maritime sector in India and beyond. Graduates will leave with practical, hands-on training and a strong foundation to excel in international shipping.

The inauguration consolidates AMET’s reputation as India’s leading maritime education institution and affirms the success of its innovative partnership with Maersk, shaping the future of seafaring both nationally and globally.

Maersk operates in more than 130 countries with a workforce of around 100,000 people and continues to pursue ambitious net zero goals for greenhouse gas emissions, using new technologies, vessels, and low-emission fuels with at least 65% lower lifecycle emissions compared to fossil fuels