Shaping Safe, Sustainable &
Future-Ready Shipping Professionals
Founder's Message — Vision for the Global Shipping Industry
Credentials & Honours
- PhD — Indian Maritime University"Maritime Education and Training: Past, Present, and Autonomous Ships of the Future" (2023)
- Fellowship of The Nautical Institute (UK)World's first Marine Engineer to receive FNI — UK's highest maritime honour
- Distinguished Alumnus AwardSri Venkateswara College of Engineering — 1990 batch, Mechanical Engineering
- Vibhushan Award"Treasure of Shipping" — recognised as one of India's Maritime Icons
- MEO Class I — Chief EngineerCertified Chief Engineer with extensive sea-going experience
A Vision for Global Shipping
The global shipping industry stands at a defining crossroads. As the backbone of world trade, shipping today carries not only cargo, but also the responsibility of safety, environmental stewardship, and sustainable growth. It is imperative that industry and academia work in close partnership to ensure that the next generation of maritime professionals is equipped to meet these responsibilities with competence, integrity, and vision.
HIMT Group of Institutes is the realisation of my personal dream — to build an institution that does not merely train seafarers, but shapes responsible custodians of the oceans, capable of leading shipping into a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
India possesses an extraordinary reservoir of maritime talent. With the right guidance, global exposure, and industry-aligned education & training, this talent can lead international shipping in areas such as navigational safety, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, alternative fuels, and emerging maritime technologies. The founding vision of HIMT is deeply rooted in this belief.
Our HIMT campuses are designed to simulate the realities of modern shipping — where operational excellence, safety culture, regulatory compliance, and environmental responsibility are inseparable. It is our continuous endeavour to integrate the latest developments in maritime technology, simulator-based training, and regulatory frameworks into our academic ecosystem, ensuring our students remain aligned with the evolving demands of global shipping.
Dear candidates, shipping today demands far more than technical knowledge alone. You are the future navigators of global trade, the guardians of life at sea, and the torchbearers of shipping's transition towards net-zero emissions and enhanced maritime safety.
The knowledge you gain, the discipline you practice, and the professional values you adopt will define your contribution — not only to your shipping companies, but to the oceans, the environment, and the global economy. As the weaver of this vision, I urge you — the maritime professionals of tomorrow — to embrace technology, respect the sea, uphold safety above all else, and lead shipping with responsibility and innovation.
The journey towards safer and greener shipping is challenging, but history has shown that great effort in maritime excellence always delivers lasting success.
Great Effort Bears the Sweet Fruit of Success
— The founding principle of HIMT Group of Institutes since 1998
Pioneer in Maritime Education
The HIMT Group of Institutes is the outcome of Dr. Sanjeev S. Vakil's unwavering commitment to strengthening the global shipping ecosystem through quality maritime education and training. A pioneer in the field, he founded the Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training (HIMT) with a clear mission — to produce seafarers who meet the highest international standards of safety, competence, and environmental responsibility.
As Founder and CEO, Dr. Vakil has played a significant role in reinforcing India's position as a trusted source of highly skilled maritime professionals for the global shipping industry. His leadership philosophy is deeply anchored in operational safety, regulatory compliance, and future-focused maritime training, ensuring that HIMT remains aligned with international conventions, flag state requirements, and evolving industry expectations.
Founded HIMT
Established Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training in Kilpauk, Chennai with a vision for maritime excellence.
PhD Conferred
Awarded Doctor of Philosophy by Indian Maritime University for research on autonomous shipping.
FNI — Nautical Institute UK
World's first Marine Engineer to receive Fellowship of The Nautical Institute (UK).
DGS Rank 1 — 4 Consecutive Years
Outstanding Maritime Training Institute — 1st Rank Award by Directorate General of Shipping.
The First Word in Maritime Training
Founded in 1998 at Kilpauk, Chennai, HIMT was established with a clear purpose — to develop competent, disciplined, and safety-conscious seafarers for the international shipping industry. Over the past 27 years, HIMT has evolved into a comprehensive maritime training powerhouse.
Today, HIMT operates across five campuses, supported by over 100 experienced faculty members, offering more than 75 approved courses, and has issued over 4.5 lakh certificates to merchant navy professionals serving on ships worldwide.
HIMT is the only institute in India offering the maximum number of DG Shipping–approved courses, and with UK MCA approved courses via HIMT Offshore, delivers the complete spectrum of pre-sea and post-sea maritime training under one umbrella.
Vision, Mission & Core Values
Vision
HIMT is committed to achieving the satisfaction of customers and other stakeholders by providing a high standard of maritime education and training that meets or exceeds industry expectations through qualified faculty, staff, and infrastructure.
- Providing a high standard of maritime education meeting industry expectations.
- Delivering courses using innovative methodologies aligned with global standards.
- Continuously monitoring and improving quality in compliance with STCW 78.
Mission
To impart quality training and education in the marine sector and nurture the interest of the mariners through various formal/non-formal methods by providing a platform where knowledge is effectively dispersed to all seekers in a congenial atmosphere.
Core Values
- Continuous Focus on Excellence
- Operate Ethically with Integrity
- Doing the right thing, every time
- Student focus and engagement
- Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
A Dream Woven for You
It is the responsibility of the industry to come forward and empower academic institutions so that students get the right opportunities to succeed in the global mainstream. HIMT Institutions are the realization of my personal dream.
The founding vision of HIMT springs from a belief that there is a lot of young talent here in India. With good stewardship and encouragement, they can rise to the highest levels globally in technology and leadership.
Dear students, you have many roles to play. You are the nation-builders. You are the movers of technology. You are the agents of change. It is our fervent hope that the years that you spend in HIMT would enable you to be sophisticated users of technology and equip you with leadership skills.
I, as the weaver of a dream, urge you, the members of the techno-generation of India, to explore the world of technology, scale the heights of creativity and innovation, and above all, to transform your learning experience to become exemplary human beings.
There are strong challenges to great effort but, always remember — great effort bears the sweet fruit of success.
Consistently Recognised by the Industry
DGS Outstanding — Rank 1 (4 Consecutive Years)
2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 — Outstanding Maritime Training Institute award by Directorate General of Shipping.
Sea Trade Middle East & Indian Subcontinent Award
International recognition for outstanding contribution to maritime training and education.
Sailor Today Exemplary Personal Achievement Award
Awarded to Dr. Vakil for exceptional personal achievement in the maritime sector.
Maritime Standard Award — Dubai 2019
Prestigious international maritime award recognising global standards in training.
Grade A1 Outstanding — DNV-GL & Class NK
Consistently rated Outstanding Grade A1 by world's largest classification societies.
SMERA Grade 1 Outstanding
Highest possible SMERA rating awarded by Government of India-appointed rating agency.
Begin Your Maritime Journey with HIMT
Join the institution founded on a vision of excellence — where every seafarer is shaped to lead shipping into a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
Apply for 2026 Admissions
Our counsellor will reach out within 24 hours