Charting a New Course for IMEI Head Office: My Pledge as Your Next President

On the joyous occasion of the World Seafarers Day, l would like to congratulate the entire Seafaring community for their selfless and outstanding contribution to the Maritime domain. 

This sets the tone for our World Maritime Day theme for 2025: "Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity". It's time for us to pay back to the community which has been instrumental in shaping our lives and in making us feel proud of what we have achieved so far.

I’m Kaushik Kumar Seal from DMET Kolkata 1985 pass out wherein I was awarded the ‘Best All Round’ Cadet and the ‘Best Athlete Award (The Victor Ludorum); sailed from 5th Engineer to Chief Engineer under a Mercantile Marine CoC, and transitioned ashore through leadership roles at Lloyd’s Register, ABS QE, Anglo Eastern Ship Management, Germanischer Lloyd, StormGeo/Alfa Laval, and Maersk Tankers’ (Njord Solutions).

Along the way I completed an Executive Leadership Program at Germanischer Lloyd, won the Millennium Achievers Award in 2000, and am currently advising Tech startups like Shipskart and Enerva Marine. Today I also serve as Director of Slabs Consultancy, hold fellowships with IEI, IMEI, RINA, SNAMES and more, and have represented India at global forums—from Sea Asia to INMARCO.

I founded IMEI’s first overseas chapter in Singapore and was their first Chairman, served as Treasurer and EC member in Delhi, and mentored hundreds of young engineers and seafarers across the country and South East Asia.

Building on four decades of deck-plate discipline and boardroom strategy, I stand for IMEI HO President in the upcoming 2025–27 elections. Here’s my blueprint for all-round development of the Institute:

• Elevate IMEI to a truly global institution I would seek to secure formal recognition from IMO and collaborate with leading maritime bodies. Together, we’ll amplify our voice in policy, technical standards, and capacity building.

• Deepen ties with Government of India initiatives I will work hand-in-glove with the Shipping Ministry and DG Shipping to advance the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 and drive landmark projects such as Sagar Mala, ensuring India’s port modernization and coastal growth include IMEI expertise.

• Expand and diversify our membership I will grow our global network by partnering with IMarEST (London), SNAMES (Singapore), and other sister institutes—unlocking cross-sector learning, research grants, and career pathways for our members.

• Strengthen IMEI’s presence across India I will launch outreach campaigns, campus chapters, and digital platforms that connect Indian members—creating mentoring circles, job portals, and regional workshops so every marine engineer finds peers, projects, and promotions.

• Forge an INS Shivaji Chapter in Mumbai I will formalize collaboration with the Indian Navy’s INS Shivaji to build a shared talent pool, host joint technical seminars, and offer transition pathways from naval service into commercial and research roles.

From our deck-mounted valves to the helm of digital transformation, IMEI must marry tradition with innovation. I pledge to champion green shipping, digitalisation, and inclusive leadership in every working group, conference, and training program we host.

I’ll keep our Institute fiscally transparent, our events high-impact, and your voices in front of every agenda.

If you believe in rigorous professionalism, a global ambition, and a community that uplifts every member—from cadets to veterans—I ask for your precious vote. Together, we will steer IMEI into a vibrant future of opportunity, pride, and service to our seafaring world.

With immense gratitude and determination, Kaushik Kumar Seal Candidate for President, IMEI HO