New hydrodynamic testing facility at IIT Madras’ Thaiyur campus will advance research in marine vehicles, offshore systems, underwater structures and fluid dynamics
CHENNAI (India CSR): Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has launched an advanced ocean engineering research facility constructed with Rs. 4.5 crore in CSR funding from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence.
The state-of-the-art Circulating Water Tunnel facility was inaugurated on 20th May 2026 at ‘Discovery’, the IIT Madras’ Satellite Campus located in Thaiyur near Chennai, in the presence of Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director and Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations) from IIT Madras, Capt. Jagmohan, IN (Rtd), Chairman and Managing Director, and Mr. Vinit Wagh, Deputy General Manager (Design) from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders.
Prof. R. Vijayakumar, Department of Ocean Engineering, Ms. Vasudha Narasimhan, Senior Vice President – Corporate Relations, Office of Institutional Advancement and Mr. Kaviraj Nair, CEO, Office of Institutional Advancement, and other stakeholders from IIT Madras were also present.
The newly inaugurated hybrid wind and circulating water channel facility is now fully operational and will provide a stable, uniform-flow test section for advanced hydrodynamic investigations involving ship models, propellers and bluff bodies. The facility is expected to significantly enhance research and teaching activities in the Department of Ocean Engineering at IIT Madras.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Ashwin Mahalingam, Dean (Alumni and Corporate Relations), IIT Madras, said, “Our partnership with Mazagon Dock marks a significant step forward in strengthening research and technology development in ocean engineering and allied disciplines. The facility will enable advanced experimental studies in hydrodynamics involving ship models, propellers, bluff bodies, marine vehicles, offshore systems, and underwater structures, while also creating valuable training and research opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers working in these domains. We are grateful to Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited for partnering with IIT Madras in advancing research capabilities and innovation in this strategically important field”
Looking forward to high-impact outcomes from this facility, Capt. Jagmohan, IN (Rtd), CMD, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, said, “At Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, we believe that strengthening India’s maritime capabilities requires sustained investments in research, innovation and academic partnerships. We are pleased to partner with IIT Madras in establishing this advanced Circulating Water Tunnel Facility, which will enable cutting-edge research and nurture future talent in ocean engineering and naval technologies. Such collaborations are important in accelerating indigenous capability development and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the maritime sector.”
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited is one of India’s premier warship-building yards and has built 808 vessels, including 33 warships and 8 submarines, ranging from advanced destroyers to missile boats and offshore structures.
The facility will support experimental studies related to marine vehicles, offshore systems, underwater structures and fluid dynamics, while also enabling advanced training opportunities for students and researchers working in ocean engineering and allied disciplines.
IIT Madras and MDL are also exploring future collaborations in advanced maritime and naval technologies. Among the proposed initiatives are the HYDRA Centre — a large-scale hydrodynamic testing facility featuring a 500-metre towing tank — and research on indigenously developed high-efficiency multistage thermoelectric subzero refrigeration systems for naval submarines and small vessels.
Key Highlights
Institution: IIT Madras
CSR Partner: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.
CSR Support: Rs. 4.5 crore
Facility: Circulating Water Tunnel Facility
Location: IIT Madras Discovery Campus, Thaiyur, near Chennai
Focus Areas: Marine vehicles, offshore systems, underwater structures and fluid dynamics
Purpose: Research, testing, training and indigenous maritime capability development
