India’s share of global seafaring population is only about 8% whereas her share of global population stands at 18%. It is “India’s moment” to increase her share in the seafaring population, since she has all the right ingredients of a robust education system, young population, and low per capita income. As can be seen with the graph, other countries have been able to do much better due to an early start.

In my view India has next 10 to 20 years to increase the share up to 20% of the global market. Few things which have been in India’s favor are the resolve shown by Indian seafarers during the pandemic to continue to operate the ships in a professional manner. Further the Ukraine / Russia conflict has opened gates for many new players to enter into the Indian market.

Ship Owners operate nearly 80% of the global ocean-going ships on their own, by using manning agents in countries in proximity. Therefore, East Europe developed primarily as an officers’ market and Philippines filled in the requirement for ratings and junior officers. Since India neither had any ship owning nation in proximity nor own tonnage, this market was not tapped by Ship Owners. The Indian seafaring market was primarily developed by few large Ship Managers from the mid 80’s on wards, therefore nearly 80% of Indian seafarers work with Ship Management companies. Anglo-Eastern was one of the first companies to open its own training centre in the early 90’s, followed by its own Cadet training academy in 2008.

As the coastal trade develops in India, more seafarers would be needed to cater for local ship owners. The demand from foreign ship owners is likely to increase due to the aging seafarer population in Europe and to manage the supply the maritime training institutes and trainee berths are also likely to increase.

However, unlike Filipino seafarers, the Indian junior officers and ratings are paired more with Indian senior officers. Hence the key roadblock in increasing the share of Indian seafarers, would be lack of Indian senior officers. Since today’s officers take loans early in life, it is difficult for them to take 18 months unpaid leave, to write the examination for senior officers.

Above could be resolved if the Marine Department allows students to write one function (say Navigation / cargo work etc) on completion of every 6 months of sea time. The classroom study, written and oral exam could be completed in a 4 months period. This would allow seafarers to join back within 4 months of leave and they could obtain superior certificates once they complete all functions, without going on a long unpaid leave. Further by obtaining one function early in their career they would be better and more sought after seafarers in a globally competitive market.

Source: Aajkaal News, by Capt Vinay Singh