India’s seafarer workforce has more than doubled over the past decade, rising from 1.25 lakh to over 3 lakh today, revealed Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal recently.
This surge places India firmly among the top three global suppliers of trained maritime professionals, marking a triumphant chapter in the country’s Blue Economy narrative.
‘Revitalised maritime sector beckons young talent’
Speaking at the Indian Maritime University’s 10th convocation in Chennai this week, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal lauded the tremendous growth in career opportunities across shipping, ports, shipbuilding, and green technologies.
“You are entering a sector that has been revitalised over the past decade and is central to India’s economic, strategic, and global ambitions,” he told the 2,196 graduating cadets. “Careers in navigation, ship operations, logistics, research, and green maritime technologies have never been more diverse or in demand.”
Ambitious targets for job creation in India
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has projected that ongoing modernisation, infrastructure investment, and skill-development programmes will generate between 25 lakh and 30 lakh direct and indirect jobs in shipbuilding, ports, shipping, logistics, and allied industries by 2030.
These forecasts align with the government’s broader Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which mobilises Rs 80 lakh crore toward expanding port capacity, coastal shipping, inland waterways, shipbuilding, and clean-fuel initiatives such as green hydrogen corridors and methanol-powered vessels.
Nurturing next-gen seafarers
The Indian Maritime University (IMU), which celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, has ramped up its academic offerings and infrastructure to meet soaring demand.
New courses in cyber-security for shipping, automated port operations, and green maritime engineering have been introduced, alongside upgraded simulation labs and partnerships with leading global maritime academies.
IMU Vice-Chancellor M.R. Srinivasan stated, “Our graduates are armed not only with theoretical knowledge but also hands-on experience that meets the highest international standards.”
Industry partnerships and global placements
Major shipping companies and international cruise liners have intensified recruitment from Indian pools, drawn by the high safety standards and rigorous training imparted at Indian institutions.
Last month, a memorandum of understanding between IMU and the Maritime Safety Authority of Singapore will facilitate joint training programmes and exchange visits, further enhancing India’s reputation for maritime excellence.
Charting India’s blue economy future
With more than 3 lakh seafarers plying global sea lanes under the Indian flag, remittances and foreign exchange revenue from seafarer employment continue to swell, contributing over $4 billion annually to the national exchequer.
India is on its way to becoming a leading shipbuilding nation and a sustainable maritime hub. This expanding workforce will be the keystone, navigating the nation toward safer, greener, and more prosperous seas.