At India Maritime Week 2025, AITransmute Solutions, an early-stage deep-tech startup working on AI-driven port automation, was recognised with the Maritime Excellence Achievers Award under the category of Emerging Indian Entrepreneur of the Year (First Runner-Up). The event was held under the aegis of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The recognition, though modest in scale, points to a larger shift — young Indian firms are beginning to apply deep-tech and artificial intelligence to long-standing challenges in the country’s maritime sector.

Founded by Abhay Shukla, AITransmute Solutions has built a suite of systems including I-TAPAS (Intelligent Tugs-and-Pilot Allocation System), the Intelligent Berth Allocation System, and SPERSH (Smart Port Analytics & Reporting Solutions Hub). Each addresses a specific operational gap, aiming to improve efficiency, predictability, and data integration across port management systems.

The company’s team combines engineers from IITs and NITs with experienced mariners, reflecting a deliberate effort to bridge domain expertise with emerging technology. Its ongoing work with Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Paradeep Port, and the Indian Ports Association, under the guidance of the Ministry, has also linked it to the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEC) through the MAITRI initiative — part of a broader move toward smart, interconnected ports.

“This recognition belongs to the incredible AITransmute team — passionate innovators driven by one mission: to use emerging technologies and deep-tech not for fancy ideas, but for real-world solutions that create impact,” said Abhay Shukla, Founder and CEO. “Our culture of freedom, purpose, and relentless pursuit has enabled us to bridge maritime and AI, helping India leapfrog in technology adoption.”

AITransmute’s trajectory illustrates how India’s new generation of technologists is expanding the boundaries of applied innovation — from laboratories to dockyards, from prototypes to national projects.