Shaping Safe, Sustainable and Future-Ready Shipping Professionals
Founder’s Message – Vision for the Global Shipping Industry
The global shipping industry stands at a defining crossroads. As the backbone of world trade, shipping today carries not only cargo, but also the responsibility of safety, environmental stewardship, and sustainable growth. It is imperative that industry and academia work in close partnership to ensure that the next generation of maritime professionals is equipped to meet these responsibilities with competence, integrity, and vision.
HIMT Group of Institutes is the realisation of my personal dream—to build an institution that does not merely train seafarers, but shapes responsible custodians of the oceans, capable of leading shipping into a safer, cleaner, and more sustainable future.
India possesses an extraordinary reservoir of maritime talent. With the right guidance, global exposure, and industry-aligned education & training, this talent can lead international shipping in areas such as navigational safety, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, alternative fuels, and emerging maritime technologies. The founding vision of HIMT is deeply rooted in this belief.
Our HIMT campuses are designed to simulate the realities of modern shipping—where operational excellence, safety culture, regulatory compliance, and environmental responsibility are inseparable. It is our continuous endeavour to integrate the latest developments in maritime technology, simulator-based training, and regulatory frameworks into our academic ecosystem, ensuring our students remain aligned with the evolving demands of global shipping.
Dear candidates, shipping today demands far more than technical knowledge alone. You are the future navigators of global trade, the guardians of life at sea, and the torchbearers of shipping’s transition towards net-zero emissions and enhanced maritime safety. The years you spend at HIMT must prepare you to operate ships that are safer, cleaner, smarter, and more efficient.
The knowledge you gain, the discipline you practice, and the professional values you adopt will define your contribution—not only to your shipping companies, but to the oceans, the environment, and the global economy. As the weaver of this vision, I urge you—the maritime professionals of tomorrow—to embrace technology, respect the sea, uphold safety above all else, and lead shipping with responsibility and innovation.
The journey towards safer and greener shipping is challenging, but history has shown that great effort in maritime excellence always delivers lasting success.
About
Dr. Sanjeev S. Vakil
As Founder and CEO, Dr. Vakil has played a significant role in reinforcing India’s position as a trusted source of highly skilled maritime professionals for the global shipping industry. His leadership philosophy is deeply anchored in operational safety, regulatory compliance, and future-focused maritime training, ensuring that HIMT remains aligned with international conventions, flag state requirements, and evolving industry expectations.
Sweet Fruit Of Success
In 2023, Dr. Vakil was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) by the Indian Maritime University. His doctoral research, titled “Maritime Education and Training of the Past, the Present, and for the Autonomous Ships of the Future”, reflects his strong academic foundation and forward-looking contribution to autonomous shipping, digitalisation, and next-generation maritime operations.
An alumnus of Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering, Dr. Vakil received the Distinguished Alumnus Award in recognition of his professional leadership. In a historic global milestone, he became the world’s first Marine Engineer to be conferred with the Fellowship of The Nautical Institute (UK)—a recognition of his outstanding contribution to maritime leadership, education, and professional standards.
His achievements, including the Vibhushan Award (Treasure of Shipping Award) and recognition as one of India’s Maritime Icons, underscore his lifelong commitment to advancing safe, sustainable, and globally respected shipping practices.
HIMT – Setting Benchmarks for Safe and Sustainable Shipping
Maritime Training
Today, HIMT operates across five campuses, supported by over 100 experienced faculty members, offering more than 75 approved courses, and has issued over 4.5 lakh certificates to merchant navy professionals serving on ships worldwide.
HIMT is the only institute in India offering the maximum number of DG Shipping–approved courses, and with the addition of UK MCA approved courses, delivers the complete spectrum of pre-sea and post-sea maritime training under one umbrella.
This includes Nautical Science, Marine Engineering, GP Rating, ETO programmes, revalidation courses for Masters and Chief Engineers, Extra First-Class Engineering, and specialised training aligned with energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and safety management systems.
HIMT Offshore, an independent entity of the HIMT Group, has played a pioneering role in International Maritime Education by becoming the first institute in South India to offer UK MCA–approved courses and the first maritime institute outside the UK to receive approval for UK MCA Basic IGF and Advanced IGF courses – a critical step towards supporting shipping’s transition to low-carbon and alternative fuels.
The confidence of the shipping industry is reflected in the fact that seafarers repeatedly return to HIMT throughout their careers—from junior ranks to Master and Chief Engineer—for advanced certification and specialised training. This enduring trust is built on HIMT’s strong safety culture, globally benchmarked infrastructure, modern simulators, and faculty drawn from deep seagoing and industry experience.
HIMT’s commitment to quality and continuous improvement is reinforced through ISO 9001:2015 certification by Bureau Veritas and consistent Grade A1 (Outstanding) ratings by DNV—standards that go beyond compliance and reflect HIMT’s alignment with global maritime best practices.
In recognition of its sustained contribution to safe and sustainable shipping, HIMT has received national and international awards consistently over the years, including the Outstanding Maritime Training Institute – 1st Rank Award by the Directorate General of Shipping for Four consecutive years (2023, 2024, 2025, 2026)- a rare distinction that reflects HIMT’s leadership in maritime education.
Background And Growth Of HIMT Group
Founder’s Message to the Students, best exemplifies the Vision of HIMT Institutions:
It is the responsibility of the industry to come forward and empower academic institutions so that students get the right opportunities to succeed in the global mainstream. HIMT Institutions are the realization of my personal dream.”
“The founding vision of HIMT College springs from a belief that there is a lot of young talent here in India. With good stewardship and encouragement, they can rise to the highest levels globally in technology and leadership.
Our elegant HIMT campus is conducive to serious academics and vibrant extra-curricular activities. It is our constant endeavor to bring to HIMT College, the best in technology and infrastructure, as we progress towards accomplishing our vision of being a center of excellence.
Dear students, you have many roles to play. You are the nation-builders. You are the movers of technology. You are the agents of change. It is our fervent hope that the years that you spend in HIMT would enable you to be sophisticated users of technology and equip you with leadership skills. The knowledge that you will gain, the fine qualities that you will imbibe and the technical skills that you will learn to apply will be your major contribution to your parents, to society, and to the nation.
I, as the weaver of a dream, urge you, the members of the techno-generation of India, to explore the world of technology, scale the heights of creativity and innovation, and above all, to transform your learning experience to become exemplary human beings. There are strong challenges to great effort but, always remember, great effort bears the sweet fruit of success.”
About
Dr. Sanjeev S.Vakil
HIMT Institutions are the outcome of Dr. Sanjeev S.Vakil’s ardent desire to give back to the society that nurtured him. Dr. Sanjeev S.Vakil, a pioneer in the field of Maritime Education and Training founded Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training (HIMT) which is today an acknowledged leader in the Shipping world.
As the CEO of HIMT, Dr. Sanjeev S.Vakil has played a pivotal role in the rise of India as a formidable power in Maritime Education and Training. His commitment to professional excellence and global quality is today a benchmark for other Maritime Training Institutes in India.
HIMT is an outcome of the vision and initiative of Dr. Vakil. It only follows that the institution reflects the ideals of its Founder and seeks to achieve excellence in maritime education and Training.
Dr. Sanjeev S. Vakil, an alumnus from the 1990 batch of Mechanical Engineering from Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering recently conferred “Distinguished Alumnus Award” for his professional achievements, contribution to the society.
Great Effort
Bears the
Sweet Fruit
of Success
Vision
Statement
HIMT is committed to achieving the satisfaction of customers and other stakeholders by:
- Providing a high standard of maritime education and training that meets or exceeds industry expectations through qualified faculty, staff, and infrastructure.
- Designing, developing, and delivering courses that meet customers’ training requirements using innovative methodologies.
- Continually monitoring, measuring, and improving the quality standards in line with industry expectations.
The above objectives shall be accomplished in compliance with relevant Statutory and Recommendatory Regulations of National and International bodies including STCW 78 and its amendments.
Mission
Statement
To impart quality training and education in the marine sector and nurture the interest of the mariners through various formal/non-formal methods by providing a platform where knowledge is effectively dispersed to all seekers in a congenial atmosphere.
Core
Values
- Continuous Focus on Excellence.
- Operate Ethically with Integrity.
- Doing the right thing, every time.
- Student focus and engagement.
- Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion.
Candidates joining HIMT for one course have repeatedly chosen HIMT for other courses periodically even after having become the Master / Chief Engineer of a ship. HIMT represents the highest overall value in terms of location, Infrastructure facilities, aesthetic interiors with World Class facilities and above all delivers Quality Education and Services to the candidates by competent, dedicated faculty and staff.
HIMT Offshore, an independent entity of HIMT Group of Institutes, becomes the 1st institute in SOUTH INDIA to offer MCA UK approved courses to the industry. HIMT as is known to offer quality training at most competitive fees and serving the maritime industry for about 23 years. HIMT, is the only institute of India, which offers maximum courses approved by DG Shipping and now with opening of MCA UK approved courses, will be the only institute of India to offer all disciplines of Presea courses (Nautical cadets, Engineering cadets, GP ratings, ETO) to specialized post sea courses including revalidation courses for Masters and Chief Engineers, and EXTRA First class engineering course under one umbrella.
HIMT has also Upgraded the quality systems from ISO 9001:2008 to ISO 9001:2015 Standards and has been continuing to receive OUTSTANDING – GRADE A1 for its courses for the Quality. We have additionally been also awarded “MARITIME TRAINING PROVIDER” certification by DNV-GL which is over and above ISO certification for Quality.
HIMT has been rated “outstanding” (SMERA Grade 1) for all its courses by an authorized rating agency appointed by Government of India. The grading exercise was carried out by a team of experts who have done an extensive comparison of all the training facilities and awarded highest rating having been impressed by World Class training standards of HIMT, which is now the benchmark for all the other Institutes.
HIMT have been receiving at least one International or National award in recognition of its commitment in Maritime Training, consecutively for the past nine years – Sea Trade Middle East and Indian Sub-continent Award, Exemplary Personal Achievement Award from Sailor Today, Grade A1 (OUTSTANDING) by Worlds largest Classification society DNV-GL and Class NK presented by DGS in 2014 are note worthy.