⚓ MMD Kochi Opens Internship Program to Groom Future Maritime Leaders
Practical exposure to India’s frontline maritime regulator aims to attract legal, technical, and scientific talent into the shipping sector
Maritime News, Kochi, India ; In a move to build the next generation of maritime professionals, the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD), Kochi—under the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways—has launched a structured Internship Scheme for students and young professionals from across India.
This initiative aims to bridge the gap between maritime theory and regulatory practice, providing hands-on exposure to the operations, governance, and compliance functions of one of India’s most critical maritime field offices.
🎯 Objective: Building Maritime Capacity at the Source
The program is designed to:
- Engage bright young minds from disciplines such as Maritime Law, Marine Engineering, Environmental Science, Naval Architecture, and IT.
- Familiarize them with the functioning of maritime regulators and safety authorities.
- Encourage interest in public sector maritime careers and policy implementation.
“This is a strategic initiative to seed maritime regulatory awareness among future professionals. We hope it encourages more youth to contribute to India’s maritime growth,” said the Principal Officer of MMD Kochi.
📋 Key Features of the Internship
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Indian nationals with a Bachelor’s or higher degree in maritime-relevant fields |
| Duration | 3 to 6 months |
| Number of Interns | Up to 4 per year (across different disciplines) |
| Stipend | ₹7,500 per month |
| Mode | Full-time, in-person at MMD Kochi |
| Deadline to Apply | April 30, 2025 |
Selected interns will assist in technical referencing, casework, inspections, and documentation in areas like maritime law, ship safety, marine engineering, environmental compliance, and IMO policy research.
🛠️ Selection and Outcome
Interns will be selected based on:
- Educational qualifications and relevant training
- Motivation and statement of purpose
- Any previous experience in maritime or regulatory fields
Upon successful completion, interns will receive an official certificate from MMD Kochi. Each intern must submit a report at the end of the program outlining their learnings and contributions.
🌊 Why It Matters
With growing demand for maritime professionals in both public and private sectors, and India aiming to expand its blue economy, this initiative comes at a crucial time:
- Addresses talent shortages in maritime governance and compliance
- Fosters collaboration between academia and field regulators
- Builds awareness on global conventions like IMO, STCW, MARPOL, and MLC
📩 How to Apply
Interested candidates must:
- Download and fill the prescribed [Application Proforma] from https://www.dgshipping.gov.in/
- Email the filled form with supporting documents to: po.mmd-ker@gov.in
- Or post it to:
The Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department,
Willingdon Island, Kochi – 682009
(superscribed: “Application for Internship”)
🕐 Deadline: April 30, 2025
📞 For Queries:
Contact:
K.K. Thankachan, Admin Section, MMD Kochi
☎️ 0484-2587005
