The World Maritime Day 2026 celebrations has given a call to focus on strengthening Keralam’s maritime sector and create greater opportunities for the younger generation.

Inaugurating the celebrations, A Bijukumar, Vice Chancellor, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS) emphasised the need to reimagine the blue economy as a community-centred approach to development. He also the stressed for redefining the economic potential of port cities while ensuring that development in the maritime sector which delivers direct benefits to communities.

The Vice Chancellor also highlighted the potential to develop Kochi as a knowledge hub connecting maritime and academic institutions. Stronger collaboration among the city’s maritime, research and academic institutions could help create a globally significant maritime knowledge cluster.

He also proposed exploring the potential of an Oceanarium as a model that brings together knowledge, marine conservation, tourism and economic activity.

The programme brought together representatives from the maritime sector, academia, industry and government. The inaugural session was followed by “Maritime is My Future”, focusing on student and youth empowerment, life at sea, maritime careers and industrial engagement.

Experts from CUSAT, the Maritime Research Centre, Cochin Port Authority, the shipping industry and maritime legal sector participated in the session.

The celebrations also feature sessions on Kerala’s maritime heritage and the Muziris legacy, and “Blue Economy, Oceanarium and Holistic Tourism”, exploring Kerala’s maritime heritage, ocean knowledge, sustainable tourism and the potential for a state oceanarium.

The programme is organised by the Kerala Maritime Board, Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) and Malabar International Port & SEZ Ltd, with KUFOS organising the session on Blue Economy, Oceanarium and Holistic Tourism.

The celebrations seek to connect Kerala’s maritime heritage with future opportunities in the blue economy, while highlighting the State’s potential to contribute to the global maritime sector.

Source: The Hindu Business Line

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