IMU Hosts I-ESKIMO 2025: India’s Leading Mock International Maritime Organisation Session
IMU Hosts I-ESKIMO 2025: India’s Leading Mock International Maritime Organisation Session
IMU Hosts I-ESKIMO 2025: India’s Leading Mock International Maritime Organisation Session – Maritime Policy, Training, and Cruise Industry Collaboration
India, October 11, 2025: The Indian Maritime University (IMU), in collaboration with DMET-MERI Alumni and the Institute of Marine Engineers (India), Mumbai Branch, hosted a final session of I-ESKIMO 2025—India’s premier Mock International Maritime Organization (IMO) session on October 9, 2025, at Ravindra Natya Mandir (Karishma Theater), Prabhadevi, Mumbai..
The event was graced by Shri Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, as the Chief Guest, Shri Sushil Mansing Khopde, IPS, Addl. Director General of Shipping, and Shri Rajeev Nayyer President IME(I) as Guests of Honour in the presence of Dr (Mrs.) Malini V. Shankar, IAS (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, Dr Rajoo Balaji, Pro Vice Chancellor, Cmde KD Joshi (IN) retd, Capt Mihir Chandra Director IMU Navi Mumbai Campus and Capt SC Panigrahy Director IMU Mumbai Port Campus..
Shri Shantanu Thakur, Hon’ble Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways said, “I am delighted to join the 5th ESKIMO session by IMU and IME—an inspiring platform that bridges academics and industry, shaping confident, globally aware maritime professionals to steer India’s blue economy forward.”
Fostering Global-Standard Maritime Competence
I-ESKIMO (Indian ESKIMO – IMU Mock IMO Session) is an annual initiative that has immersed students in realistic IMO-style debates on maritime conventions, safety, and environmental policy. Designed to strengthen policy understanding, leadership, and communication skills, the program has bridged academic theory with international maritime governance. Over four successful editions, I-ESKIMO has become a benchmark event for maritime education in India. The 2025 edition saw record participation with 204 teams and 163 research submissions, underscoring the growing enthusiasm among young maritime professionals to engage in global regulatory discourse..
New Industry Linkage: IMU – IHM Mumbai MoU for Cruise Sector Training
A major announcement at this year’s session was about signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Indian Maritime University and the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Mumbai. The agreement will pave the way for specialized training programs to enable IHM graduates to work aboard international cruise ships, with IMU providing the mandatory maritime certification required for cruise ship personnel. This strategic collaboration brings together India’s maritime and hospitality sectors to strengthen employability in the fast-growing global cruise.
Expert Jury and Academic Leadership
To ensure rigorous academic evaluation, IMU has invited Shri Dilip Mehrotra, former Secretary, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India, as Judge for I-ESKIMO 2025. His extensive policy and administrative experience will enrich the academic credibility and outcome of the event.
About Indian Maritime University
The Indian Maritime University, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is India’s apex institution for maritime education, training, and research. Headquartered in Chennai with six campuses across key port cities, IMU nurtures professionals equipped to lead global advancements in ship operations, logistics, and maritime policy.
