Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (SDHI), India’s leading shipbuilding and heavy fabrication company, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Maritime University (IMU), the nation’s premier maritime education institution. The partnership aims to advance maritime education, skill development, and research, while preparing a future-ready workforce to support India’s growing shipbuilding and industrial sectors.
The MoU was formally signed by Rajeev Nayyer, Advisor, SDHI, and Commodore KD Joshi, Controller of Examinations, IMU, in the presence of senior dignitaries including Rajesh Kumar Sinha, IAS, Special Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), and Dr Malini V Shankar, IAS (Retd), Vice Chancellor, IMU. The event was held at IMU’s Chennai campus during a thematic session leading up to India Maritime Week (IMW) 2025, organized by MoPSW.
This strategic alliance is designed to support India’s maritime growth vision by fostering Centres of Excellence in shipbuilding, naval architecture, and marine engineering. These centres will serve as hubs for specialized training, research, and innovation—bridging the gap between academic learning and real-world industry requirements.
SDHI will provide access to its state-of-the-art shipyard infrastructure for hands-on industrial training, while IMU will contribute academic rigor and curriculum design aligned with the latest technological and operational trends. Together, the partners will co-develop industry-focused training modules and research programs tailored to meet the needs of the domestic and global maritime ecosystem.
In addition, the collaboration will explore joint initiatives with educational institutions, vocational training providers, and government bodies to enhance skilling efforts in alignment with the national maritime agenda.
Commenting on the MoU, Rajeev Nayyer, Advisor at SDHI, said “India’s maritime future depends on a solid foundation of skilled talent and cutting-edge technology. This partnership with IMU represents a unique convergence of academic excellence and industrial capability. We are committed to nurturing the next generation of professionals who will strengthen India’s self-reliance and global leadership in shipbuilding and marine innovation.”
Swan Defence and Heavy Industries Limited (formerly Reliance Naval and Engineering Limited) is India’s foremost shipbuilding and heavy fabrication enterprise. Strategically located on the west coast, the SDHI shipyard boasts the country’s largest dry dock (662m x 65m) and a fabrication capacity of 144,000 tons per annum. The company is dedicated to advancing India’s maritime infrastructure with a focus on innovation, quality, safety, and sustainable practices.
