The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched an advanced maritime research facility with financial support from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). Built with Rs 4.5 crore in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding, the new centre is expected to strengthen India’s capabilities in ocean engineering, naval technology, and maritime research.
The state-of-the-art facility, named the Circulating Water Tunnel Facility, has been established at ‘Discovery’, IIT Madras’ satellite campus located in Thaiyur near Chennai. The centre was inaugurated in the presence of IIT Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti, senior faculty members, and officials from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, including Chairman and Managing Director Capt. Jagmohan.
Designed to support advanced hydrodynamic investigations, the facility will help researchers conduct studies involving ship models, marine propellers, underwater systems, bluff bodies, and offshore structures. Equipped with a hybrid wind and circulating water channel system, the centre offers a stable and controlled testing environment for experiments related to fluid dynamics and ocean engineering.
According to IIT Madras, the research centre will significantly improve academic and experimental work in the Department of Ocean Engineering. It will also create opportunities for students, researchers, and faculty members to gain practical exposure in maritime engineering and related disciplines. The institute believes that the facility will play an important role in supporting innovation and indigenous technology development in the maritime sector.
Speaking during the inauguration, Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean of Alumni and Corporate Relations at IIT Madras, said the collaboration with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders marks a major step toward strengthening research and technological advancement in ocean engineering. He noted that the facility would enable high-quality experimental studies and provide valuable training opportunities for future researchers and engineers.
Capt. Jagmohan, CMD of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, emphasized the importance of investing in research and academic partnerships to strengthen India’s maritime ecosystem. He stated that such collaborations are essential for developing indigenous technologies and achieving the vision of self-reliance in the defence and maritime sectors under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, is one of India’s leading warship-building companies. The organization has built several warships, submarines, and offshore structures for the Indian Navy and other maritime agencies. Through this CSR-supported initiative, MDL aims to contribute to the advancement of maritime research and skill development in the country.
The collaboration between IIT Madras and MDL is also expected to pave the way for future joint projects in naval and ocean engineering. Among the proposed initiatives are the HYDRA Centre, a large hydrodynamic testing facility featuring a 500-metre towing tank, and research related to advanced refrigeration systems for naval submarines and marine applications.
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