Mumbai, 31 October 2025

 

As part of India Maritime Week 2025, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) hosted a high-impact session on “Maritime Human Capital”, curated by the Shipping Corporation of India Ltd. (SCI) on October 30, 2025 at the Bombay Exhibition Centre, Mumbai.

The session focused on developing a future-ready maritime workforce aligned with India’s vision of emerging as a leading global maritime nation. Discussions underscored that talent, technology, and transformation will drive the next phase of growth in India’s maritime sector.

The session was chaired by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, in the presence of Shri Sunil Paliwal, IAS, Chairman, Indian Ports Association; Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping; and Capt. B. K. Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director, SCI. The event saw participation from senior government officials, industry leaders, maritime professionals and young cadets. Grant Thornton Bharat LLP partnered as the Knowledge Partner for the session.

In his keynote address, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya emphasized that human capital lies at the heart of India’s maritime transformation. He highlighted the Government’s focus on skilling, upskilling, and reskilling the maritime workforce to meet global standards.

Recalling India’s rich maritime heritage, he stated that under the leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the nation is “leveraging its profound maritime legacy for futuristic growth and advancement.” He announced that the National Maritime Heritage Complex will serve as a world-class experiential centre celebrating India’s seafaring history.

Welcoming the participants, Capt. B. K. Tyagi, CMD, SCI, highlighted the Government’s unwavering support to the maritime industry, including a four-pillar strategic approach, a cabinet-approved package worth ₹70,000 crore, and several new initiatives announced during India Maritime Week. He remarked that the “Amrit Kaal for the maritime sector has begun”, opening vast opportunities for both the industry and its human capital.

Shri Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, spoke on the evolving landscape of maritime human capital and India’s growing contribution to the global seafaring pool. He elaborated on initiatives focused on seafarers’ welfare, digital transformation, and governance reforms undertaken by the Directorate General of Shipping.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Sunil Paliwal, IAS, Chairman, Indian Ports Association, lauded SCI and DGS for organizing the session, emphasizing that human capital will be the key enabler in realizing the targets of the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. He noted that infrastructure development must go hand in hand with human resource advancement to achieve India’s maritime aspirations.

During the session, Hon’ble Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya felicitated distinguished maritime professionals for their pioneering contributions:

• Capt. J. C. Anand, Founder, Indian Register of Shipping
• Chief Engineer Officer Suneeti Bala, India’s first woman Extra First-Class Chief Engineer
• Pilot Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi, India’s first woman Marine Pilot
• Marine Engineer Sonali Banerjee, first Indian woman Marine Engineer licensed as Chief Engineer
• Naval Architect Parvathi Rajalakshmi, India’s first woman Naval Architect

Dr. Mandaviya reaffirmed the Government’s objective to increase India’s share in the global seafaring pool from 12% to 20% by 2030. With 35% of the population under 35 years, he stated that India’s youth, innovation, and enterprise will steer the sector towards realizing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

The event also witnessed the exchange of MoUs worth over ₹2,000 crore, focusing on maritime human capital development.

A panel discussion moderated by Capt. M. P. Bhasin, Managing Director, MSC Crewing Services, explored “Seafarers of the Future – Building a Modern Maritime Workforce”. Panellists included:
Mr. Sushil Mansingh Khopde, IPS, Additional Director General of Shipping; Capt. S. Panigrahi, Director (I/c), Indian Maritime University; Dr. Matthias Catón, Managing Director, German Maritime Centre; Mr. Kaushik Seal, President, IMEI; and Mr. Sunil Nair, Assistant General Secretary, NUSI. It highlighted the importance of digital literacy, green fuel management, adaptive problem-solving, and mental well-being to prepare seafarers for emerging global challenges.

Dr. Jose Matheickal, Director, International Maritime Organization (IMO), addressed the session on the importance of updating the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) to align with the green transition. He reaffirmed the IMO’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with India and lauded the country’s growing leadership in global maritime initiatives.

A second panel discussion, moderated by Capt. S. M. Halbe, CEO, MASSA, focused on “Charting Tomorrow – Talent, Technology and Transformation in Maritime Human Capital”. Panellists included Capt. S. I. Abul Kalam Azad, Nautical Advisor (Govt. of India); Mr. Minyoung Jeong, Director, KOICA; Mr. P. K. Mishra, MD, IRS; Mr. Omar Sharif, Sr. VP, DP World; Mr. Rajnish Khandelwal, CEO, JM Baxi & Co.; and Mr. Krishnan Subramaniam, International VP, ICS. They discussed how rapid technological advances are reshaping workforce needs and capability frameworks across the maritime value chain.

The session underscored India’s steadfast commitment to developing a skilled, resilient, and globally competitive maritime workforce. With a strong focus on talent, innovation, and sustainability, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways continues to steer the nation’s journey towards Maritime Amrit Kaal.

 

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PIB Mumbai | Edgar Coelho/Darshana Rane

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