Pratik Bijlani –
The Directorate General of Shipping, in partnership with the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW), hosted a thorough workshop titled “Strategic Engagement of India with IMO” at the Indian Register of Shipping in Mumbai on 07th June. This event sought to investigate options for boosting India’s relationship with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and expanding participation in international maritime events. The session was attended by major players and specialists from the Indian marine sector.
Mr TK Ramachandran, IAS, Secretary, MoPSW, presided over the event, which was attended by Mr Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, and Mr Rajesh Kumar Sinha, IAS, Additional Secretary, MoPSW, as well as other notable personalities from the marine sector.
In his inaugural address, Mr Ramachandran highlighted the importance of strategic planning for enhancing India’s engagement with the IMO, saying, “In the Maritime India Vision as well as the Amrit Kaal Vision, we have very clearly said that we want to increase our strategic engagement with IMO and with other countries, and that has to start with clear planning, and for that, I think this workshop can be one of the base workshops where we decide the contours of this engagement.”
India has actively participated in the IMO from the beginning in 1948. The country made important contributions to the development of several IMO norms and regulatory frameworks that control global shipping. India’s role has risen over time, with Indian delegates attending numerous IMO committee and subcommittee sessions. These committees are critical in the development and adoption of crucial IMO conventions and instruments.
As of April 2024, India had 1,527 registered vessels totalling around 13.75 million gross tonnes. Additionally, the country has a significant number of inland and near-coastal vessels, as well as 254,725 fishing vessels. Notably, India is the world’s third-largest provider of seafarers, accounting for approximately 10% of the global fleet. India’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean makes it a key role in global marine trade.
The Government of India’s Maritime India Vision 2030 plan seeks to use the blue economy as a significant engine of economic development. Another notable project, Amrit Kaal 2047, sets a framework for maritime sector development over the next 25 years, with the goal of making India “Atmanirbhar” (self-sufficient) by 2047. The success of these programmes is dependent on the support of the international marine community.
Despite India’s historical involvement in marine trade, the sector confronts a number of obstacles. These include a lack of human rights enforcement at sea, maritime security concerns for seafarers, illicit, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, climate change effects, the advent of new technology, and the need for capacity building at Indian ports.
The full-day training focused on gaining a better understanding of the IMO and its different committees, including the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW), Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC), and Maritime Safety Committee. The discussions focused on how the Indian government and the maritime fraternity may effectively contribute to these committee sessions. This includes creating papers, writing interventions, and pushing for these positions during IMO sessions.
Mr. Rajesh Kumar Sinha emphasised the need for greater efforts towards seafarer welfare during his address, stating, “We are a very proud nation of providing highly qualified seafarers, absolutely no doubt in that, and that what is recognised worldwide, wherever we go, we have heard that, people have directly experienced it, but when it comes to their welfare, we probably need to do much more.”
The session gave an opportunity for brainstorming and filling gaps in preparation for IMO meetings. It emphasised the necessity for India’s overseas collaboration to be specialised and comprehensive. Currently, India’s interaction with the IMO is frequently reactive and relies on individual efforts rather than a pre-defined institutional structure. Given India’s substantial maritime stakes, there is an urgent need to shift this approach from reactive to proactive.
Improved international cooperation in the maritime industry is critical for India. The workshop provided an important opportunity for stakeholders to improve and reinforce India’s participation at the IMO, ensuring that global legislation, standards, and practices address India’s maritime interests.
Marex Media