Chennai, India — 21 November 2025
Lloyd’s List Intelligence (LLI), the global leader in maritime data and analytics, marked a major milestone with the official opening ceremony of its new Centre of Excellence in Chennai on 21 November 2025. The inauguration was led by an esteemed delegation of dignitaries from the Government of the United Kingdom and the Government of Tamil Nadu, underscoring the strategic importance of this expansion in strengthening global maritime intelligence capabilities.
The ribbon-cutting was performed by Seema Malhotra, MP, Indo-Pacific Minister, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), UK Government, and Dr TRB Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Government of Tamil Nadu, who jointly declared the Centre of Excellence open, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter in LLI’s global operational strategy.
Dignitaries including Seema Malhotra MP, Dr TRB Rajaa, Halima Holland and Harjinder Kang join Lloyd’s List Intelligence leaders for the traditional vilakku lighting ceremony at the Chennai Centre of Excellence inauguration.
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony – Seema Malhotra, Indo- Pacific Minister, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Govt. of United Kingdom & Dr. TRB Rajaa, Minister for Industries, Investment Promotion & Commerce, Govt of Tamil Nadu
The ceremony was also graced by Halima Holland, British Deputy High Commissioner, Chennai; Harjinder Kang, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for South Asia; and Dr Darez Ahamed, IAS, MD & CEO of Guidance Tamil Nadu, reaffirming the strong Indo-UK collaboration in advancing trade intelligence, maritime safety, and digital innovation.
Following the inauguration, the event featured a fireside chat with Harjinder Kang, who discussed India’s expanding role in global data ecosystems and the increasing strategic relevance of maritime intelligence amid shifting geopolitical and supply-chain dynamics.
Fireside Chat with Harjinder Kang, His Majesty Trade Commissioner, South Asia, Govt. of United Kingdom
Speaking at the ceremony, Parvin Conners, Chief Operating Officer, Lloyd’s List Intelligence, highlighted the strategic importance of India in LLI’s global ambitions:
“India’s capability ecosystem plays a central role in our global growth. The Chennai Centre of Excellence reinforces our commitment to innovation and excellence in maritime analytics.”
The programme also included exchanges between government leaders, industry partners, and LLI executives on the evolution of AI-enabled maritime risk analytics, the future of trade compliance, and Chennai’s position as a world-class hub for data, technology, and engineering talent.
LLI Leadership with DLF Team
Felicitation of Seema Malhotra, Indo- Pacific Minister, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Govt. of United Kingdom
Earlier this year, the Government of Tamil Nadu has formalised its support for Lloyd’s List Intelligence’s India expansion through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The MoU, signed on September 3, 2025, reflects Tamil Nadu’s commitment to attracting global capability centres in next-generation analytics, risk intelligence, and digital operations. Earlier, in the government press release Lloyd’s List Intelligence was mentioned as a world leader in maritime risk management, insurance and vessel tracking analytics and Lloyd’s expansion will significantly bolster Tamil Nadu’s capabilities in shipbuilding, port management, and maritime technology.”
It further recognised the flagship Seasearcher platform that provides real-time visibility of global vessel movements, ownership structures, and port activities — insights that will be invaluable for unlocking Tamil Nadu’s vast Blue Economy potential.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin interacting with investors in the U.K. on Wednesday, September 3, 2025.
A Future-ready Global Maritime Intelligence Centre
The new Centre of Excellence represents a significant step in Lloyd’s List Intelligence’s long-term growth strategy.
Developed with the support of Cushman & Wakefield’s GCC Advisory Services, the facility anchors a future-ready operating model designed to meet the surging global demand for maritime data, real-time intelligence and advanced analytics for maritime compliance, risk evaluation, government, legal and insurance sectors. The Chennai-based team will assume a pivotal role in LLI’s global operations—processing, validating, and delivering more than one billion maritime data points every day, ensuring that customers around the world continue to receive timely, precise, and actionable intelligence.
Speaking about the launch of the Centre of Excellence, Waqas Samad, Chief Executive Officer, Lloyd’s List Intelligence, said in an interview with the Economic Times:
“We are delighted to be building a Centre of Excellence in Chennai, a city that offers exceptional depth in data, analytics, and engineering talent. Our new centre is not just an operational expansion but a strategic investment in enhancing the accuracy, speed, and depth of the intelligence we deliver globally. With over 200 roles planned, this centre will strengthen our ability to help customers navigate an increasingly complex geopolitical and regulatory landscape.”
He added:
“Maritime risk and trade intelligence have become absolutely critical as global supply chains evolve. Chennai provides the talent, infrastructure, and innovation mindset we need to scale responsibly and deliver the trusted insights the world relies on.”
A Strategic Investment with Global Impact
With this expansion, LLI is positioned to accelerate research, strengthen data integrity, enhance risk-analytics capabilities, and support customers across shipping, finance, commodities, insurance, and government.
India—and Chennai in particular—forms a central pillar of the company’s multi-year transformation strategy, enabling LLI to expand its analytical capabilities, enrich its vessel-behaviour intelligence, and meet fast-growing expectations for real-time maritime risk visibility.
The launch of the Centre of Excellence underscores LLI’s commitment to operational excellence, innovation at scale, and continued investment in world-leading intelligence products that protect global trade, reinforce compliance, and combat illicit maritime activity.
About Lloyd’s List Intelligence
Lloyd’s List Intelligence delivers the trusted maritime data, analytics, and insight that keeps global trade moving.
Powered by a rich and growing network of intelligence sources, proprietary AIS data, and a global network of analysts, we provide real-time visibility into the world’s fleets, trade flows, and risks. By combining advanced analytics, AI, and human expertise, our intelligence helps organisations across shipping, finance, commodities, insurance, legal, and government sectors make confident decisions— reducing risk exposure, optimising operations, and identifying commercial opportunities.
With over 300 years of maritime heritage, we continue to shape the future of trade intelligence, transforming vessel, ownership, compliance, and emissions data into clarity that drives smarter, safer, and more transparent trade.
