The Company of Master Mariners of India (CMMI) successfully hosted its flagship seminar Maritime Potpourri 2025 on July 23 at Hotel Kohinoor, Mumbai, bringing together leading voices from across the maritime industry. The event served as a powerful platform for knowledge exchange and collaborative thought on some of the most pressing issues facing Indian and global shipping today.
The seminar lived up to its name, offering a rich blend of presentations and discussions on topics ranging from international regulations and safety trends to technology’s evolving role in maritime operations. Attendees included high-ranking government officials, ship management executives, training experts, and veteran master mariners. The event began with a warm welcome by Capt MP Bhasin, Master Chairman of CMMI, who traced the organization’s journey since its inception in 1957. Stressing the importance of inclusive dialogue within the industry, he said, “Though it’s an association of master mariners and nautical officers, we engage with every maritime fraternity – marine engineers, naval architects – all for the betterment of the profession.”
A standout moment came from Capt. Harinder Singh, Nautical Surveyor and Deputy Director General (Technical) at DG Shipping, who presented sobering data on casualty trends and underscored the importance of accountability. Sharing insights from a decade-long analysis, he stated, “Machinery failures alone accounted for nearly 60% of global maritime casualties between 2014 and 2024,” adding that non-operational incidents, mental health crises, and illnesses among younger seafarers have surged in 2024. He emphasized the DG Shipping’s “Suraksha Sarvapratham” initiative and called for collective action to improve onboard safety culture.
Equally impactful was the virtual presentation by Capt. Vinayak Mohla, IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador and GM at Anglo Eastern, who provided a detailed overview of the ongoing STCW review. Capt. Mohla emphasized the need to future-proof maritime training through a cautious yet forward-looking revision of competencies—factoring in simulator use, mental health, cybersecurity, and gender diversity. He informed attendees about the 2030 target for the new STCW framework and encouraged global stakeholders to contribute meaningfully.
Capt. Samir Kumar from MASSA Maritime Academy tackled the operational hurdles posed by Ballast Water Treatment Systems (BWTS), noting that while systems may be approved on paper, they often fail under real-world conditions, especially in turbid port waters. He called for reconsideration of the D1 standard and the need for pragmatic co-existence with D2 until systems become truly reliable.
A standout presentation by Capt. Viraf Chichgar humorously demonstrated the double-edged nature of technology, focusing on GPS spoofing and jamming. He urged a shift from blind reliance to intelligent use of tech tools and advocated for low-cost solutions like smartphone GNSS backups.
The panel discussion, moderated by Capt. Dinesh Gautama, delved into the twin concerns of VGM compliance and container fires. With contributions from Capt. Sunny Williams, Capt. J.S. Gill, Capt. Ajay Moghe, Mr. Kumar Divya and Capt. Santosh Kumar, the session underscored how minor inaccuracies in cargo declarations can lead to catastrophic failures. It also called for tighter DG cargo oversight, improved insurance frameworks, and integration of AI and IoT for safer operations.
CMMI’s Maritime Potpourri 2025 stood out not just for the depth of content but for fostering honest conversations on hard truths. With professionals attending both online and in-person, the event concluded with a vote of thanks by Capt. S.M. Halbe and a shared vision: to build a resilient, safety-first maritime ecosystem ready for the challenges of the future.
Marex Media