Challenges Faced by Indian Seafarers in Global Maritime Industry

Indian seafarers are facing tough competition from their counterparts in other developing countries due to a lack of career guidance and investment by Indian shipping companies, according to industry experts in Pune. Despite India having a significant share in the global seafarer workforce, candidates from countries like Ukraine, Russia, Philippines, Thailand, and Sri Lanka are filling the void. Sanjeev Ogale, chairman of the Pune branch of The Institute of Marine Engineers, pointed out the mismatch between expectations and reality regarding pay and opportunities for seafarers.

Globally, there are nearly 19 lakh seafarers, with only 9 lakh being officers while the rest are support staff. India has over 5 lakh registered seafarers, but only about 2.5 lakh are employed in a year, as per data from the Directorate General of Shipping. Sudhir Subhedar, ex-president of Indian Coastal Operators, emphasized the need for the Indian government to improve its global positioning and encourage Indian companies to increase their fleet of ships. These discussions took place on the occasion of World Seafarers Day on June 25.

The experts highlighted the importance of addressing the challenges faced by Indian seafarers to remain competitive globally. They stressed the need for better career guidance, debunking myths about pay and opportunities, and increasing investments by Indian shipping firms. With a significant number of registered seafarers in India, efforts must be made to ensure more employment opportunities and improve the overall standing of Indian seafarers in the global maritime industry.

Source .