National Maritime Foundation

The National Maritime Foundation, in New Delhi, India is a non-governmental, non-political maritime think-tank under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, inaugurated by the Defence Minister of India, Mr Pranab Mukherjee in February 2005 in New Delhi.

The Ocean is unbound, constantly in motion and ever changing. The logo of the National Maritime Foundation encapsulate this dynamic energy. The representation of the rhythmic waves is unlimited by a border as they flow into eternity. The many layers of waves represent the diverse and munificent resources of the ocean. A slice of the ocean is captured in a parallelogram to connote the window of opportunity for the Foundation to harness, explore, research and monitor the many aspects of the ocean. The slanted form emphasises the progressive and dynamic approach of the Foundation.

Aim

The National Maritime Foundation aims to undertake studies and analyses on various issues of concern in the maritime domain with a view to formulate and present options for a vibrant and evolving national maritime policy.

Objectives

The objectives of the Foundation are to:

1. Provide constructive inputs for policy formulation.
2. Conduct studies and research in the area of maritime interests of India spanning across the entire spectrum of oceanic activity, maritime infrastructure, shipbuilding, merchant shipping, fishing, energy life-lines, off-shore and sea-bed resources, environment and the laws of the sea.
3. Study and evaluate factors affecting Indian maritime security, focus on vulnerable areas and suggest suitable counter measures in the formulation of national security strategy.
4. Carry out studies of International relations and geo-political factors of strategic significance with a view to suggest maritime CBMs and enhance maritime cooperation among sea faring nations as also to achieve a stable security environment in South Asia and Asia Pacific.
5. Initiate, undertake, organise and facilitate study courses, conferences, seminars, lectures and research in matters relating to various aspects of global maritime affairs and to offer fellowships, prizes, scholarships and stipends in furtherance of the objectives of the Foundation.
6. Promote awareness and informed public debate on the importance of maritime dimension of India.
7. Study maritime heritage and to record with the objective of disseminating knowledge of maritime history among youth to keep alive our ancient maritime traditions.
8. Associate with government departments, educational institutions and other bodies with similar or allied aims.
9. Establish and maintain libraries and information services to facilitate study of maritime issues and undertake, facilitate and provide for the publication of news letters, research papers and books and of a journal for the exposition of maritime affairs.

Areas of interest

• 1.Ports
• 2.Salvage
• 3.Fisheries
• 4.Maritime law
• 5.Pollution control
• 6.Marine environment
• 7.Disaster management
• 8.Offshore oil exploration
• 9.Oceanography & Meteorology
• 10.Shipbuilding
• 11.Ship repair
• 12.Under sea resources
• 13.Search and Rescue
• 14.Maritime heritage
• 15.Maritime security
• 16.Navigation
• 17.Shipping
• 18.Piracy