Indian Maritime Associations Join Task Force
Concerned with declining market of Indian seafarers industry despite having high population in comparison to its rival countries, representatives of leading shipping associations in the country have joined a ‘task force’ or committee formed by Directorate General of Shipping of India to primarily increase the global share of Indian seafarers' market to over 9 percent from 7 percent at present.
Among the associations are National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), Maritime Union of India (MUI), Maritime Association of Shipowners, Shipowners and Agents (MASSA) and others.
India with 12 per cent of the world’s population has just 7 per cent of the seafarers’ market whilst Philippines with just 2 per cent of the world's population has grabbed about 20 per cent global share.
There are about 130,000 Indian seafarers who serve aboard cargo ships across the globe currently, according to industry sources. The leading seafarer representatives have decided to submit a list of recommendations as well as observations to the Director General of Shipping on June 8, 2017 in Mumbai.
“Our report would include various suggestions like actions required for increasing the global share of Indian seafarers and restructuring of maritime examination systems in India,” said MASSA Chairman Capt Prashant Rangnekar.
The recent move of Indian shipping industry clearly indicates the Government's thrust on increasing the global share of Indian seafarers and continuous improvement of maritime training infrastructure in India.
“Although global share of Indian seafarers has continued to grow over the years as substantiated by DG Shipping statistics, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. India should be ready to meet the anticipated demand of qualified seafarers when shipping industry witness an upturn globally,” said Malini Shankar, DG (Shipping), Government of India
Eminent members who are involved in the task force include Capt Prashant Rangnekar, Capt Vinay Singh, Capt Shiv Halbe, Capt Mahendra Bhasin from MASSA, Abdulgani Serang from NUSI, Amar Thakur from MUI) etc.
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