National Maritime Complex Organises “MAR-a-thon – India’s Maritime Hackathon” at IIT Madras
Chennai:
Port Wings News Network:
The National Maritime Complex (NMC), under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), in collaboration with the National Technology Centre for Ports, Waterways & Coasts (NTCPWC), IIT Madras organised “MAR-a-thon – India’s Maritime Hackathon” at IIT Madras on 25 August 2025.
MAR-a-thon – India’s Maritime Hackathon, organised under the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2), is designed to catalyse Research and Innovation in the maritime domain through Startup and Entrepreneurship and accelerate the transformation of the maritime sector through innovation and entrepreneurship.
National Maritime Complex (NMC), a registered society under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has been envisioned as a pivotal institution to drive the transformation of India’s maritime sector by leveraging the creativity and agility of start-ups, the intellectual depth of academia, and the practical wisdom of Maritime Industry Leaders. The National Maritime Complex represents a long-term commitment to shaping India’s maritime future, aligned with the Maritime India Vision 2030 and the Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. With its focus on innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness, NMC will serve as a catalyst in transforming India into a leading maritime nation.
Today, India has one of the strongest Startup ecosystems in the world, ranking among the top globally in terms of innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Startups are the driving force of innovation, bringing agility, creativity, and cutting-edge technologies to address challenges that traditional systems often overlook. In the maritime sector, startups have the capability to transform operations by enabling smart ports, strengthening supply chains, advancing green shipping practices, building world-class shipbuilding and repair capacity, and enhancing maritime safety and security systems. By leveraging their entrepreneurial spirit and problem-solving mindset, startups not only create scalable solutions but also accelerate India’s journey towards self-reliance and global leadership in the maritime domain.
The Maritime Innovation Hubs—comprising IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, and the Indian Maritime University—will play a pivotal role in nurturing and scaling maritime innovations. These premier institutions bring unmatched technical expertise, research excellence, and access to cutting-edge facilities, which are essential for developing solutions of global standards. By handholding startups at every stage of their journey—from ideation and prototype development to testing, validation, and deployment—these hubs will ensure that innovations are not only technologically robust but also commercially viable. Their mentorship, technical guidance, and industry collaborations will create an enabling ecosystem where startups can confidently address complex maritime challenges and accelerate India’s emergence as a global maritime leader.
MARaTHON : INDIA’S MARITIME HACKATHON
MAR-a-THON: India’s Maritime Hackathon, is envisioned as a dynamic platform where the maritime industry brings forward real-world challenges, startups working on cutting-edge and disruptive technologies brings innovative ideas, and mentors from academia and industry, guide startup to take ideas to market-ready solutions. It is a confluence of problem owners, innovators, and domain experts working together to reimagine the future of India’s maritime sector. By fostering collaboration between industry, startups, and technical institutions, MARa-THON aims to unlock practical, scalable, and sustainable solutions that will usher in the next era of maritime excellence for India and the world.
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Viswanathan, IAS, Managing Director, National Maritime Complex and Deputy Chairman, Chennai Port Authority, detailed the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2), highlighting how startups are being positioned as catalysts for the transformation of India’s maritime sector.
T. K. Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, graced the occasion and highlighted the critical role of innovation and technology in transforming India’s maritime sector.
He emphasised that initiatives like MAR-a-THON under the Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative will act as a catalyst in identifying industry challenges and developing practical, scalable solutions. He reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to supporting startups, fostering collaboration with academia and industry, and realising the vision of Maritime Amrit Kaal 2047.
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, addressed the gathering and emphasised the pivotal role of the maritime sector in building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and achieving the vision of a developed India by 2047.
He highlighted MAR-a-THON as a unique platform uniting industry, academia, and startups to drive innovation, with the National Maritime Complex and premier institutes providing the support needed to transform ideas into impactful solutions.
T. K. Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, unveiled the Innovation Challenges for the Hackathon and formally launching the official website of ‘MAR-a-thon’.
UNVEILING OF TIMELINE FOR MARATHON
25 Aug 2025 Workshop on the “MARaTHON: INDIA’S MARITIME HACKATHON”
25 August 2025 to 29 Sept 2025 Application window for Startups
16 Oct 2025 to 18 Oct 2025 MARaTHON : INDIA’S MARITIME HACKATHON
During Maritime India Week 2025
(Exact Date yet to be announced)
Award Ceremony and Signing of Agreement for Selected Start-ups
Selected startups identified as winners will receive milestone wise funding support based on the maturity of their solutions:
Proof Of Concept — Upto Rs. 10 Lakhs
Seed Funding Grant (Developing Minimum Viable Product) – Upto Rs. 60 Lakhs
Tech Pilot Grant (Scale Up Commercialised Solution) — Upto Rs. 1 Crore
The event saw the presence of senior officials from MoPSW, leadership from Major Ports and other Organisation under MoPSW, academians – IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur and Indian Maritime University (IMU), along with enthusiastic participation from startups, Students and stakeholders across the maritime sector.
The MARaTHON will be conducted during 16-18 October 2025, offering startups a platform to present impactful, scalable solutions to the Innovation Challenges in the Maritime Sector with the potential to drive transformation across the maritime value chain.
Panel Discussion on “Fostering Research Innovation Startup and Entrepreurship in Maritime Sector”
Panelists representing challenge owners, policymakers, startups, and academia deliberated on the way forward to empower startups as key drivers in transforming the maritime sector.
Start-up Exhibition The programme concluded with an exhibition by startups, showcasing innovative solutions and technologies with direct relevance to the maritime sector.
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