– Pratik Bijlani
The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) convened its yearly conference at The Orchid Hotel in Mumbai on June 7, with the aim of tackling the urgent issues that Indian seafarers encounter. FSUI was founded in 1957 and has been a pillar in the fight for the welfare and rights of Indian seafarers, concentrating on matters like pay, benefits, and job security.
Numerous prominent members of the marine industry attended the conference, including Mr Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of FSUI; Ms HK Joshi, former CMD of SCI, and Mr Sabyasachi Hajara, Chair of the INMEX SMM India Advisory Board and former CMD of SCI. Mr Narendra Rao, Vice President, FSUI, gave a hearty welcome to the event, Mr Rao stressed the importance of these kinds of seminars in order to address the many issues that seafarers deal with, such as the recent terrorist attacks on Merchant Navy ships and the contentious government decision to loosen cabotage restrictions. The master of ceremony was Mr Sanjeev V Mehra, Managing Director of Kenmark Tech Solutions.
Each of the four panel discussions at the conference addressed a crucial problem facing the maritime sector. The first panel discussed the criminalization of seafarers, and it was conducted by Dr. Sanjay Bhavnani, Director and COO of MMS Maritime India Pvt. Ltd. The topic of debate was the MV Dali episode, in which seamen were singled out for legal action and suffered serious consequences without legal counsel. The CEO of Peninsular Maritime India Pvt. Ltd., Capt. Shravan Kumar, and the former Chairman of MASSA, Capt. Girish Phadnis, emphasized the significance of legal education and assistance for seafarers. With poignant observation, Capt. Phadnis said, “We are supposed to be helping them, but they are the ones caught in the crossfire without any proper legal representation, knowledge, or exchange of information between us and them. Capt Nazir Upadhye and along with the panel recommended that in order to guarantee that seafarers receive the required legal support, ship owners and union leaders should work together with government officials.
Mrs Deepshikha Mehra, CEO of Kenmark Tech Solutions moderated the second panel discussion that focused on women inclusivity and safety in the maritime sector. Panelists such as Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Director of Sitara Shipping Ltd., and Capt Ayesha Vaz, Master Mariner, shared their experiences and highlighted the progress made in recent years. Ms. Aishwarya Gupta Pilankar Managing Director of Nautical Marine Management Services Pvt ltd pointed out the significant strides in women’s inclusivity, attributing success to male allies within the industry, emphasizing on Shipping to introduced in primary education level. Ms. Miko Brown of ITF London emphasized how technological advancements have opened new opportunities for women and how ITF is supporting women inclusivity in Maritime Sector. Mrs. Manisha Tiwari, Partner at International Maritime Law Chambers, underscored the need for effective implementation of policies, stating, “We have policies, we have laws, we have support systems, but it’s ineffective because of the mindset of the people.” The panel called for ongoing efforts to promote gender sensitivity and support women’s empowerment in the maritime industry.
The third panel addressed skill development and the necessity for India to keep up with international maritime standards. Moderated by Capt. Sudhir Subhedar, Council Member of the STCW Revision Committee, and the Panelist Mr. David Birwadkar VP-Gesco and Capt. C.L. Dubey -Principal-MMTI discussion emphasized the importance of continuous training for seafarers, particularly in new technologies and renewable fuels.
The final panel discussion focused on the government’s decision to relax cabotage laws and its potential detrimental effects on the Indian shipping industry. Capt. Subhedar and Mr. Narendra Rao highlighted the risks to domestic shipping companies, employment, and national security. They stressed the need for a balanced approach, ensuring that changes to cabotage laws align with national interests and sustainable economic growth.
The FSUI Conference 2024 successfully brought together industry leaders and stakeholders to discuss and address the critical issues facing Indian seafarers today. The event underscored the importance of collaboration, continuous skill development, and the need for supportive policies to safeguard the rights and welfare of seafarers.
Marex Media