International Maritime Institute

What International Maritime Institute does

International Maritime Institute (IMI) is a Greater Noida-based private maritime training academy founded in 1991 that delivers pre-sea and post-sea courses approved by India's Directorate General of Shipping, the Indian Maritime University, and AICTE. Core programs include the one-year Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS), the four-year B.Tech Marine Engineering, the one-year Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) course, a four-month Electro-Technical Officers (ETO) program, six-month General Purpose Rating (GP Rating) and Certificate Course in Maritime Catering (CCMC) tracks, and post-sea modular certifications (MEO Class 2, STCW, ARPA, ECDIS, 2nd Mate FG, ROSC). Its technical infrastructure centers on a Ship-in-Campus training vessel with a 2000 BHP main engine designed by IIT Kharagpur, advanced navigation simulators, electronics and instrumentation laboratories, and engineering workshops spanning 10+ acres across three campuses.

IMI operates a sponsorship-driven go-to-market model in which shipping companies — principally Fleet Management Limited (sister company under The Caravel Group following the March 2025 acquisition), MSC Shipmanagement, Maersk, PIL, Dockendale, V R Maritime, Darya Shipping, and V.Ships — recruit cadets through placement exams, interviews, and psychometric tests and either sponsor or directly hire graduates. The MSC Training Academy joint venture, established around 2000 and active for over two decades, trains crew for cruise line vessels. Revenue is generated primarily through one-time tuition and residential fees (boarding, lodging, uniform, medical insurance) across pre-sea and post-sea programs, with a separate modular post-sea billing cadence. Annual sanctioned intake across core programs is roughly 432 cadets (BTech 80, DNS 200, GME 60, ETO 72, plus GP Rating and CCMC cohorts), graduating cohorts of 184-196 cadets.

The institute holds the A1 'Outstanding' grading from the Indian Registrar of Shipping, the highest classification available under DG Shipping norms, and ISO 27001 certification. Following the March 2025 acquisition by Hong Kong-based The Caravel Group — a diversified conglomerate whose Maritime vertical includes Fleet Management (the world's second-largest ship manager with 650+ vessels) — IMI has expanded curriculum into Alternative Fuels and Digital Navigation training, launched an IME(I) Student Chapter, and committed to a 12% female technical-role target by 2030 aligned with India's 20% global seafarer workforce goal.

Name

International Maritime Institute

Legal name

International Maritime Institute

Website

https://imi.edu.in

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Short description

IMI is a Greater Noida-based private maritime training academy, founded in 1991 and acquired by The Caravel Group in March 2025, delivering DG Shipping-approved pre-sea and post-sea courses to merchant navy cadets with placement pathways into 30+ shipping companies including Fleet Management, MSC, and Maersk.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime Training and Education

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Apprenticeship Training (611513)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine Engineering & Engine Room Operations (EDAOANAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Maritime Safety, Security & Compliance (STCW/ISM/ISPS) (EDAOANAD), Navigation, Seamanship & Offshore Operations (EDAOANAE)

Keywords

• Maritime training
• Pre-sea education
• Marine engineering
• Merchant navy
• Cadet sponsorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Noida

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Course Fees: IMI generates revenue through tuition and course fees from its maritime training programs including Pre-Sea courses (DNS, BTech Marine Engineering, GME, ETO, GP Rating, CCMC) and Post-Sea courses (MEO Class 2, STCW Modular courses, ARPA, ECDIS, ROSC, 2nd Mate FG). Fees are paid by sponsored cadets or individually and include charges for boarding, lodging, uniform, and medical insurance as part of residential programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IMI is a maritime training academy that delivers DG Shipping-approved pre-sea and post-sea residential programs for the merchant navy, including DNS, B.Tech Marine Engineering, GME, ETO, GP Rating, CCMC, MEO Class 2 and advanced STCW modular courses. Training is delivered through three campuses in Greater Noida with a Ship-in-Campus facility, navigation simulators, electronics laboratories and an engineering workshop, and cadets are placed with 30+ shipping companies including Fleet Management, Maersk, and MSC.

Product overview

International Maritime Institute (IMI) is a premier maritime training institution offering a comprehensive portfolio of pre-sea and post-sea training programs for the merchant navy. The core offerings include Pre Sea Courses (Diploma in Nautical Science, B.Tech Marine Engineering, Graduate Marine Engineering, Electro-Technical Officers, General Purpose Rating, and Certificate Course in Maritime Catering), Post Sea Courses (including MEO Class 2 Preparatory and simulator training), and Sponsorship Programs. The institute operates specialized facilities including a Ship-in-Campus training vessel and maintains partnerships with leading shipping companies for cadet placement. The institution also hosts the MSC Training Academy joint venture for cruise line crew training.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diploma in Nautical Science (DNS) A one-year DG Shipping-approved pre-sea training program preparing students to become deck officers in the merchant navy, covering navigation, seamanship, cargo operations, ship stability, maritime regulations, and safety management, followed by 18 months of onboard training.
• B.Tech Marine Engineering A four-year DG Shipping-approved degree program preparing students for technical careers in the merchant navy and global shipping industry, covering marine propulsion systems, electrical equipment, automation, thermodynamics, and vessel operations with practical training on shipboard systems.
• Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) A one-year DG Shipping-approved pre-sea training program for mechanical or naval architecture graduates aspiring to become marine engineers in the merchant navy, covering marine propulsion, thermodynamics, auxiliary machinery, maintenance systems, and engineering operations.
• Electro-Technical Officers (ETO) Course A four-month DG Shipping-approved pre-sea training program focusing on electrical, electronic, and automated systems onboard modern ships, covering power generation and distribution, automation systems, navigation electronics, communication equipment, and fault diagnosis.
• General Purpose Rating A six-month DG Shipping-approved entry-level pre-sea training program preparing individuals to work across both deck and engine departments, covering seamanship, cargo handling, safety procedures, maintenance practices, and basic engineering skills.
• Certificate Course in Maritime Catering (CCMC) A six-month DG Shipping-approved program designed for individuals interested in hospitality roles within the merchant navy, covering food preparation, nutrition, hygiene, catering operations, and maritime hospitality practices.
• MEO Class 2 Preparatory Course A four-month post-sea training program preparing marine engineers for the MEO Class 2 examination and oral assessments, using experienced faculty, operational ship-in-campus facilities, and well-equipped labs for practical demonstration.
• Post Sea Courses (Advanced Simulator and Modular Courses) Post-sea training programs including advanced simulator courses (ARPA, ECDIS, ROSC), MEO preparatory courses, 2nd Mate FG, and STCW modular professional development for serving maritime professionals seeking certification upgrades and career advancement.
• Sponsorship and Placement Programs Company sponsorship and placement programs connecting cadets with leading shipping companies including Fleet Management, Maersk, MSC, and others, providing sponsorship test registration, placement assistance, and career pathways into the maritime industry.
• MSC Training Academy Joint venture between MSC Shipmanagement and IMI providing specialized training for crew aboard MSC cruise line vessels, including support from subject matter experts, ship visits, and further education and certification opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 10,000+ cadets graduated and placed in maritime careers globally since 1991
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• Institute of Marine Engineers (India) (IME(I))majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2025MoU signed June 2025 to establish IME(I) Student Chapter at IMI. Provides cadets access to e-Library with maritime learning materials, discounted rates on advanced courses, mentorship from experienced marine engineers, invitations to seminars and webinars, subsidised hostel facilities in Mumbai, and potential funding for innovative projects and technical paper publications.
• Fleet Management LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 March 2025Fleet Management Limited, part of The Caravel Group, is the world's second largest ship management company managing 650+ vessels across dry bulk, containers, tankers, and gas carriers. The partnership provides placement for IMI graduates with over 190 cadets recruited in the first year. Fleet team visits IMI campuses for training alignment and curriculum development discussions.
• MSC ShipmanagementmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019MSC has partnered with IMI for over two decades, recruiting approximately 500 cadets from India, Ukraine, and Russia. Joint venture established MSC Training Academy at IMI to train crew for cruise line vessels. MSC invests in equipment, contributes to training programs, provides subject matter experts, and delivers lectures on key topics.
• MaerskminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMaersk recruits IMI graduates including ETO, BTech Marine Engineering, and DNS cadets for positions aboard their vessels. One of the world's largest shipping companies with continuous recruitment from IMI's talent pool.
• PIL (Pacific International Lines)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPIL recruits IMI graduates for maritime career opportunities across their global shipping operations.
• Dockendale Ship ManagementminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDockendale recruits IMI graduates for positions on managed vessels as part of ongoing placement partnership.
• V R MaritimeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorV R Maritime recruits IMI-trained seafarers for employment on their managed ships.
• Darya ShippingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorInternational shipping company with ongoing cadet recruitment arrangement from IMI.
• V.ShipsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGlobal ship management company recruiting IMI graduates for maritime positions.
• FOSMA (Foreign Owners Representatives and Ship Managers Association)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFOSMA representatives including Captain K.K. Sharma and Mridul Gupta participated in GP Rating graduation ceremony, indicating industry support for IMI training standards.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• T.S. Chanakya (Training Ship Chanakya): Government-run maritime training institute under the Ministry of Shipping, offering DNS and pre-sea programs. Competes with IMI in India for sponsored cadets, with a cost advantage from government subsidies.
• AMET University: Deemed university in Chennai offering BTech Marine Engineering, DNS, GME, and post-sea programs. A comprehensive private maritime education peer with a broader degree-granting portfolio than IMI.
• Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies: India-based maritime training institute offering pre-sea and post-sea courses with strong simulator-based infrastructure. Direct competitor to IMI for cadet intake and shipping-company placement.
• Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy: Training arm of Anglo-Eastern Group, one of the world's largest ship managers, with a maritime academy in India. Closely comparable model to IMI: ship-management-integrated training with structured cadet placement pathway.
• Tolani Maritime Institute: One of India's leading private maritime training institutes offering pre-sea and post-sea programs (DNS, GME, BTech Marine Engineering). Closely comparable to IMI in product mix, target cadets, and shipping-company placement model.
• Sir M. Visvesvaraya Institute of Maritime Studies: Indian maritime training institute offering DNS, GME, and post-sea courses. Operates in the same Indian regulatory framework and competes for the same pool of 12th-grade and engineering graduates.
• HIMT (Haryana Institute of Maritime Training): Private Indian maritime training college offering DNS, GME, BTech Marine Engineering with similar DG Shipping-approved curriculum. Competes with IMI in North India for the same cadet pool.
• Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies (GEIMS): India-based maritime training institute associated with the GE Shipping group. Direct comparable to IMI in target customers (pre-sea cadets) and shipping-company placement model.

Others

• V.Ships: World's largest ship management company and a long-standing IMI placement partner. Comparable not as a direct training competitor but as an enterprise customer that shapes cadet demand and curriculum standards in the industry.

Broad incumbents

• Maersk Training: Global maritime and offshore training provider owned by A.P. Moller-Maersk. Comparable in offering STCW and advanced maritime courses, but operates at a much larger global scale and ships' officer-focused curriculum.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/imimerchantnavy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC60CvD97ggUOEdIbfYDavrg
• Facebookfacebook.com/IMICampusGreaterNoida
• Instagraminstagram.com/imigreaternoida

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about International Maritime Institute