SAMUDRA Lab | BITS Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus

About Us

About the Laboratory

SAMUDRA (Seaports And Maritime Unified Data Research & Analytics) Lab is a multidisciplinary research laboratory based at BITS Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus. Established to advance maritime knowledge through data-driven inquiry, the lab focuses on generating high-quality, evidence-based insights for academia, public institutions, and the broader maritime research community.

Rooted in the academic ethos of BITS Pilani, SAMUDRA Lab integrates expertise from maritime studies, geospatial analytics, data science, and environmental systems research. Our work emphasizes rigorous scientific methods, open data culture, and collaborative research practices.

We specialize in analyzing seaport performance, vessel traffic dynamics, maritime connectivity, blue economy indicators, and regional strategic corridors using advanced tools such as AI/ML, geospatial modelling, and large-scale statistical analysis. Beyond research, the lab contributes to capacity building by developing datasets, analytical frameworks, and visualisation tools that support scholarly inquiry and policy dialogue.

Lead Investigator

Prof. R. P. Pradhan

Professor, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences

Prof. R. P. Pradhan is the Lead Investigator at the SAMUDRA Lab. He is a Professor in the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences at BITS Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus. With deep expertise in International Relations, Maritime Studies, and Political Economy, he guides the lab's interdisciplinary research goals.

His academic pursuits center on maritime trade logistics, seaport economics, and the geopolitical dynamics of the Indo-Pacific. He also serves as a Distinguished Fellow (Political Economy) at the Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kerala, and contributes to key policy dialogues concerning India's blue economy and maritime development.

Research Interests

International Relations Maritime Studies Political Economy Blue Economy

Website

Purpose

Vision & Mission

Vision

To become a leading academic hub for maritime data research — advancing scientific understanding of seaports, shipping systems, and coastal environments through robust analytics, interdisciplinary inquiry, and open knowledge creation.

Mission

To empower the maritime research community with trustworthy data resources, analytical tools, and evidence-based insights that push the boundaries of maritime science, supporting sustainable coastal development and regional cooperation.

Focus Areas

Research Areas

Seaport Analytics

Analyzing seaport performance metrics, turn-around efficiency, throughput capacities, and port connectivity networks.

Vessel Traffic Dynamics

Tracking and modeling shipping lane traffic using AIS data to study congestion, routing safety, and maritime density.

Blue Economy Indicators

Measuring economic indicators related to marine resources, coastal tourism, and sustainable port industrialization.

Geospatial Modelling

Visualizing marine environments, shipping patterns, and port influence zones using GIS mapping tools.

AI & Machine Learning

Applying predictive algorithms to forecast port arrivals, model maritime bottlenecks, and optimize resource routing.

Policy & Strategy

Developing evidence-based policy frameworks for regional trade corridors and strategic maritime security issues.

At a Glance

Laboratory Highlights

2

Faculty Investigators

2

PhD Scholars

1

Student Researcher

5

Projects

12

Publications

4

Collaborations

Get in touch with us

Get in touch with our laboratory to discuss research partnerships, student opportunities, or funded projects.

Contact Us