The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) plans to establish a training facility for seafarers in India, potentially accommodating up to 1 million Indian seafarers, according to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Speaking at an event in Osaka, Japan, Goyal encouraged Japanese companies to consider training Indian seafarers as both nations aim to enhance their maritime cooperation. He noted that while Japan’s shipbuilding industry faces high costs, India’s vast pool of skilled workers could create mutually beneficial partnerships.
Goyal pointed out that India already boasts the world’s second-largest seafarer workforce, with approximately 320,000 individuals. He emphasized that beyond maritime initiatives, India is pursuing strategic collaborations with Japan in various sectors, including next-generation mobility, economic security, medical technology, and agricultural technology. He mentioned that the Gujarat government is planning to send a high-level delegation to Japan to explore potential partnerships.
In addition, Goyal highlighted semiconductors as a vital area for cooperation, forecasting that India’s semiconductor consumption could reach $150 billion in the near future. He also noted India’s significant investment in infrastructure, with about $130 billion spent annually in recent years. The Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project, utilizing Japan’s Shinkansen technology, exemplifies the growing infrastructure partnership between the two countries. Goyal further remarked on the emergence of 250 million Indians from poverty over the past 12 years, indicating a burgeoning consumer base that now sees India’s middle class surpassing Japan’s entire population.
