Celebrating Maritime Excellence IME(I) Annual Meet 2025

The Institute of Marine Engineers (India) Mumbai Branch, along with its Navi Mumbai and Gujarat chapters, hosted its Annual Meet on 11^th January 2025, at the MCA Club, Bandra Kurla Complex, Mumbai. This prestigious gathering welcomed over 500+ guests from the maritime industry for an evening of celebration and recognition of maritime excellence.

Mr. Sanjeev Mehra, the Master of Ceremony, efficiently steered the event. The occasion was honoured by the presence of esteemed Office Bearers, Executive Committee members and Governing Council representatives of IME(I). Mumbai Branch Chairman, Mr. David Birwadkar, warmly welcomed the attendees and expressed sincere gratitude for their participation. He reaffirmed the Institute’s dedication to empowering its members and the maritime community with knowledge and expertise in an ever-evolving industry.

A key highlight of the evening was the presence of Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, who attended as the Chief Guest. He unveiled the logo of the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) to mark the commencement of celebrations of its 75 years of service. This milestone symbolised the Directorate’s enduring legacy and commitment to maritime safety, professionalism and innovation. It is indeed a huge honour to IME(I) that the Directorate chose an IME(I) event to mark the commencement of their celebrations of such an important landmark.

Among the distinguished guests were Shri Ajithkumar Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor-cum- Additional DG (Engineering); Capt. B.K. Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director of the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd.; Shri Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS); Shri P.K. Mishra, Managing Director of IRS; Shri Bidyut Dutta, Vice President of L&T; and Shri T.K. Sahu, Joint Managing Director of IRS, among others. The event’s success was further amplified by the generous sponsorship of the Indian Register of Shipping.

A special moment of the evening was the presence of Capt. J.C. Anand, a 102-year-old veteran of the Indian shipping industry. His attendance was a true honour for everyone present, symbolising the rich heritage and progress of the maritime sector.

Adding an element of excitement, a raffle draw took place, with lucky winners receiving exciting prizes, much to the delight of the audience. The celebration continued with a captivating live musical performance and band, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.

The Annual Meet and Dinner seamlessly blended professional discussions, networking and entertainment, strengthening the bonds within the marine engineering community. It was an evening to cherish, not only celebrating past achievements but also looking ahead to a bright future for the Institute and its members. With a strong spirit of camaraderie and commitment to advancing the maritime industry, the event was a great success, leaving attendees inspired and united in their mission to drive the sector forward.