Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal virtually joined the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) signing ceremony for the establishment of the Chair, describing the initiative as an important step towards transforming global maritime knowledge and expertise into capabilities that can contribute to India’s long-term maritime development. The Chair has been established in tribute to Dr. Chandrika Prasad Srivastava, one of India’s distinguished maritime leaders and a pioneering figure in international maritime affairs. Dr. Srivastava was the founding father of the World Maritime University and served as the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) for the longest tenure in the organisation’s history.     The establishment of the CP Srivastava Chair is expected to strengthen academic collaboration, research and knowledge exchange in key areas of the maritime sector, including green shipping, maritime safety, sustainable maritime development and modern port management.    The initiative comes at a time when the global maritime industry is undergoing a major transformation driven by decarbonisation, digitalisation, technological innovation and the need for more efficient and resilient port infrastructure. The Chair can provide a platform for advanced research, policy-oriented studies and international cooperation addressing these emerging challenges. Shri Sonowal said the initiative reflects India’s growing role in the global maritime ecosystem and its commitment to developing a future-ready maritime sector.     Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the initiative is expected to help translate international knowledge, research and best practices into Indian capabilities, skills and institutional capacity. The focus on green shipping, maritime safety and modern port management will support India’s broader ambition of building a competitive, sustainable and globally integrated maritime economy.     The CP Srivastava Chair also represents a lasting tribute to the legacy of a distinguished Indian maritime statesman whose contributions helped shape the international maritime education and governance landscape.

By linking India’s maritime priorities with the global academic and research ecosystem, the initiative is poised to contribute to innovation, human-resource development, sustainable shipping and efficient port management, while supporting the country’s long-term maritime growth objectives.