Timeline of HIMT
A glimpse of HIMT's remarkable journey from 1998 to 2026
Since its inception in 1998, HIMT has consistently attracted trainees and candidates for its various courses. As a premier Maritime Institute located in the heart of Chennai, HIMT has established a reputation for providing exceptional education and training opportunities to seafarers. HIMT has received or been nominated for at least one International or National award every year for the past 18 years in the category of Maritime Education & Training.
HIMT Tidal Park — Rank 1 Outstanding, Best Post-Sea Maritime Training Institute 2026
Awarded at NMDC 2026 by Directorate General of Shipping in April.
HIMT Tidal Park — Rank 1 Outstanding, Best Post-Sea Maritime Training Institute 2025
Awarded at NMDC 2025 by Directorate General of Shipping.
HIMT Kilpauk — Rank 2 Outstanding, Best Post-Sea Maritime Training Institute 2025
Awarded at NMDC 2025 by Directorate General of Shipping.
PSCRB, RPSCRB & Gas Tanker Familiarization courses launched at VIZAG HIMT
Expanding course offerings at the Visakhapatnam campus.
HIMT Tidal Park — Rank 1 Outstanding, Best Post-Sea Maritime Training Institute 2024
Awarded at NMDC 2024 by Directorate General of Shipping.
HIMT Kilpauk — Rank 2 Outstanding, Best Post-Sea Maritime Training Institute 2024
Awarded at NMDC 2024 by Directorate General of Shipping.
Finalist — Maritime Education & Training, The Maritime Standard Awards
Samudra Manthan Award 2024 — Felicitated for 25 Years of Excellence
Special recognition celebrating HIMT's silver jubilee of maritime education.
Rank 1 Outstanding — Best Post-Sea Maritime Training Institute 2023
Awarded at NMDC Celebrations by Directorate General of Shipping.
New 4-Storey Building inaugurated at HIMT Tidal Park
Inaugurated by the Directorate General of Shipping, expanding facilities significantly.
Finalist — Maritime Education & Training, The Maritime Standard Awards
Finalist — Maritime Education & Training, The Maritime Standard Awards, Dubai
Winner — Training Institute of the Year (Post Sea)
9th International Samudra Manthan Awards, December 2022.
Signed MOUs with DG Shipping to expand national and global footprint
Strategic agreement to strengthen HIMT's role in India's maritime training ecosystem.
Highly Commended — Education and Training Award, Seatrade Maritime Awards
New campus set up in the heart of Visakhapatnam
HIMT Vizag established as a key Post-Sea training hub on India's east coast.
Finalist — Maritime Education and Training Award, The Maritime Standard Awards
Winner — "Education and Training" at TMS Awards, Dubai
Prestigious international recognition at The Maritime Standard Awards, Dubai.
Dr. Sanjeev S. Vakil honoured with VIBHUSHAN AWARD (Treasure of Shipping)
For exemplary contribution in "Maritime Leadership" at Marex Kashti Awards 2019, New Delhi.
Started offering UK MCA Approved Courses via HIMT Offshore
First institute in South India to offer UK MCA-approved maritime courses.
Winner — Best Maritime Training Institute (South & East) for Value Added Courses
Offing Indian Seafarers' Choice Awards.
India's Largest Maritime Institute — 15+ years record for max DGS-approved courses
Maintaining the record of being India's largest maritime institute in terms of DGS-approved courses.
Awarded DNV-GL Standard for "Maritime Training Providers" Certification
In addition to ISO 9001:2015 by Bureau Veritas — a dual quality certification.
Dynamic Positioning (DP) Courses launched on Kongsberg Simulator
Accredited by the Nautical Institute, UK. Latest Kongsberg simulator installed.
Finalist — "Education and Training" at TMS Awards, Dubai
Seafarers Choice Awards — Best Maritime Institute for Competency & Value Added Courses
South & East India category. Awarded by Offing.
Gateway Awards 2015 — "Excellence in Maritime Education"
Finalist — Seatrade Maritime Award
World's First Institute — 40 distinct courses certified by single IACS Classification (Bureau Veritas)
A historic achievement cementing HIMT's position as the global leader in maritime training.
Shipping Minister presents Award for "Excellence in Maritime Education & Training"
Presented at the World Shipping Forum.
Ranked Outstanding – GRADE 1 for all courses
DGS and IMU Approval for B.Tech (Marine Engineering), GME, DME, and B.Sc. Nautical Science courses.
Winner — Sea Trade Award 2010
Presented by the former Secretary General of IMO. A landmark international recognition.
Finalist — Lloyd List Asia Award, "Education & Training" category, Singapore
Winner — "Exemplary Personal Achievement" Award by Sailor Today
Highly Commended — Education and Training at Seatrade Dubai International Maritime Awards
First institute in India to be graded GRADE 1 – Outstanding by DGS approved ICRA
A landmark that set the benchmark for all maritime institutes in India.
Pre-Sea training courses commenced
Launched based on direct requests from leading shipping companies. HIMT now covers the full training spectrum.
India's largest maritime institute — by number of DGS-approved courses
HIMT establishes itself as the most comprehensive maritime training provider in India.
Revalidation course for Masters and Simulator courses commenced
Expanding the curriculum with high-demand post-sea courses.
Competency courses launched; Advanced courses for Oil/Chemical and Gas Tankers offered
HIMT rapidly expands its Post-Sea course portfolio to serve the industry's needs.
FPFF, PST and Tanker Familiarization courses commenced
Foundation STCW safety courses introduced, forming the bedrock of HIMT's training offering.
Approved by DG Shipping — Birth of HIMT
Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training founded by Dr. Sanjeev S. Vakil in Kilpauk, Chennai. A dream becomes reality.
Founded 1998 · Still Growing
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27 years of excellence — and the journey continues. Join the institution that has shaped over 4.5 lakh maritime professionals worldwide.
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