States » SouthPosted at: Sep 17 2026 9:09PM


Kerala proposes integrated International Maritime Museum, Oceanarium

Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 17 (UNI) Kerala government has proposed setting up an International Maritime Museum and Oceanarium as a single integrated institution, backed by Rs 50 crore in seed funding, to showcase the State’s nearly 2,000-year maritime heritage and rich marine biodiversity.
The proposal envisages a unified governance and operating structure for the two facilities, with the Oceanarium’s revenue-generating potential supporting the Museum’s heritage and curatorial functions and reducing the need for continued government funding for separate institutions.
The proposal was discussed at a three-day Round Table Conference on flagship developmental and transformational projects that began here on Wednesday. The session on the International Maritime Museum and Oceanarium examined the financial, operational and governance aspects of the proposed project.
Under the proposed model, a single Special Purpose Vehicle, structured as a not-for-profit company, would own and operate both facilities under a common Board chaired by the Chief Minister. It would also have an Advisory Council and a common visitor brand.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan described the proposed Oceanarium as a "dream project" and stressed the need to finalise its economic model and prepare a Detailed Project Report covering the requirements of the integrated project.
He highlighted the potential of Kerala’s large Malayali diaspora and private investment to contribute to a financially sustainable model whose value could grow significantly over the long term.
Satheesan said the government would play a catalytic role in taking forward the Oceanarium and Maritime Museum, incorporating the latest technologies and international practices into their design and operations.
Kerala’s maritime history, spanning nearly two millennia, provides the foundation for the proposed institution. The narrative would encompass the ancient port of Muziris, the Quilon trade route, Beypore’s traditional Uru-building craft and the modern deep-water port at Vizhinjam.
The State Budget had allocated funds for an International Maritime Museum, following which the government directed that the feasibility of developing an Oceanarium alongside it on the same waterfront also be examined.
The session was attended by senior officials of the Ports Department and State Department of Archaeology, Directorate of Museums and Zoos, Archaeological Survey of India, policy research institutions, national and international experts, academic and research institutions, government institutions, industry and associations.
Concluding the session, Co-Chair Rathan U Kelkar, IAS, Secretary, Ports, said Geromic George, IAS, had been appointed Special Officer for the project.
"We will bring together all relevant stakeholders and seek their inputs to take the project forward and make this dream a reality," Kelkar said.
The Round Table Conferences are aimed at bringing together experts, investors, development partners, industry, academic institutions, the start-up community, public sector undertakings and the Non-Resident Keralite community to translate flagship project ideas into implementable roadmaps.
UNI DS
Tags: #Kerala proposes integrated International Maritime Museum# Oceanarium
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