Photo: Dr. Monu Korulla, Director General, Resource & Management, DRDO, inaugurates an exhibition held as part of ICOE 2025 at IIT Madras campus
CHENNAI, 18th September 2025: Indian Institute of Technology Madras’ (IIT Madras) Department of Ocean Engineering hosted the 7th International Conference in Ocean Engineering (ICOE 2025) from 14th to 18th September 2025.
ICOE 2025 brought together leading researchers, industry experts, policymakers, defence agencies, and innovators from across the globe to exchange ideas and foster collaborations in ocean engineering, offshore technology, marine renewable energy, petroleum engineering and blue economy initiatives.
The five-day conference featured keynote lectures by distinguished experts, more than 100 peer-reviewed technical paper presentations, panel discussions, an industry exhibition, and special sessions for early-career researchers and students.
The key outcomes from the conference include Policy and industry recommendations shaping India’s blue economy roadmap, Technology demonstrations on renewable energy, subsea systems, and resilient offshore structures, strengthened international collaborations and startup engagements, besides enhancing India’s global visibility as a hub for ocean technology and sustainable ocean development.
Initiated in 2009 by IIT Madras, ICOE has grown into one of the respected international conferences in ocean engineering, with previous editions attracting participation from 25+ countries. The 2025 edition will expand this legacy by aligning ocean technology with India’s growth story and global sustainability goals.
Addressing the Conference on 15th September 2025, Dr. R. Balaji, Director, National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), said, “India is making rapid strides in ocean technology, and platforms like ICOE 2025 provide an excellent opportunity to showcase our progress and engage with global leaders. Collaboration between academia, research institutions, and industry will be key to driving innovation in sustainable ocean use and offshore technologies.”
Further, Dr Monu Korulla, Outstanding Scientist & Director General, Resource & Management (R & M), DRDO, said, “The oceans are critical to both national security and technological self-reliance. ICOE 2025 provides a timely platform for defense, academia, and industry to come together and drive innovations in areas such as underwater systems, surveillance, and resilient offshore technologies that are vital for India’s strategic future.”
Further, Dr. Duvvuri Seshagiri, Director, Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), DRDO, added, “Ocean engineering plays a critical role not only in energy and infrastructure but also in national security and strategic applications. ICOE 2025 provides the right forum to integrate science, technology, and policy to address challenges in defence and beyond.”
The Salient Features of ICOE 2025 include
- Global participation: Experts from universities, research institutes, industries, and government agencies worldwide.
- Key themes: Offshore structures, marine hydrodynamics, coastal processes, ocean energy, subsea technology, offshore wind, marine robotics, and AI applications in ocean engineering.
- Industry–academia connect: Dedicated sessions for technology transfer, startup engagement, and collaborations.
- Young researcher focus: Tracks and awards for PhD scholars and early-career scientists to showcase their innovations.
- Networking opportunities: Poster sessions, cultural programs, and networking dinners to build international partnerships.
ICOE 2025 Faculty Coordinator and Organising Chair, Prof. Abdus Samad, Head, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, said, “ICOE 2025 is more than a conference—it is a platform where cutting-edge research meets real-world challenges of our oceans. With global participation from academia, industry, and policymakers, we aim to drive innovations that support the blue economy, renewable energy, and sustainable use of ocean resources. IIT Madras is proud to host this dialogue and showcase India’s growing leadership in ocean engineering on the world stage.”
Prof. Lei Zuo, University of Michigan, USA, one of the speakers, added, “The oceans are central to the growth of the global blue economy, underpinning advances in sustainability and resilience. ICOE 2025 stands as a vital platform for international collaboration, accelerating progress in renewable energy, offshore infrastructure, climate-ready solutions, and workforce development.”
Established in 1977, the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, is a pioneer in ocean and coastal engineering education and research in India. It houses state-of-the-art facilities, including the Deep-Water Wave Basin, Towing Tank, Sedimentation and Coastal Engineering Facilities, and Reservoir Simulation Lab—serving as national testbeds for academia and industry.
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