– Delphine Estibeiro –
On 25thAugust, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) commemorated its 75th anniversary with a landmark Knowledge Session at Hotel Aurika, Mumbai. Themed Shikṣita Nāvikaḥ Saśakta Saṁsthānam Surakṣita Samudraḥ, the event brought together maritime leaders, educators, and policymakers to reflect on legacy and chart the course ahead. Mr Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, delivered the keynote address, outlining a sweeping vision for the sector’s transformation anchored in training, technology, and trust.
The T3 framework—Training, Transition, and Transformation—was at the heart of Mr Jagannathan’s address. The Directorate’s future vision is guided by these three pillars: building world-class human capital through robust education and immersive learning tools; equipping seafarers to navigate sustainability and technological shifts; and digitizing certification processes and leveraging AI to drive excellence across the maritime ecosystem.
A major reform announced was the end-to-end digitization of the Certificate of Competency (COC) examination system, managed independently by CDAC and the National Testing Agency. Simulator-based assessments and digital faculty certification are being introduced to enhance training quality and reduce capital intensity.
The Directorate’s commitment to eliminating fraud in maritime training was emphasized, with increased scrutiny on institutional integrity and student protection. Dynamic batch sizing will be implemented, where institutions failing to meet shipboard training and placement benchmarks will see their authorized batch strength reduced.
Two flagship initiatives were unveiled: Sagar Mein Samman, a call to honour and empower women in maritime careers, and Sagar Mein Yog, a holistic well-being program embedded into STCW training. These initiatives aim to foster gender diversity and inclusion and prepare seafarers for the psychological and interpersonal demands of modern maritime life.
The transition from the Directorate General of Shipping to the Directorate General of Maritime Administration marks a broader regulatory mandate, encompassing port and shipyard oversight, ship recycling, offshore operations, and inland water navigation safety.
He concluded with a roadmap for institutional reform, including upgrading MTI modules, institutionalizing LMS and simulators, and integrating AI and immersive learning tools.
The DGS seeks guidance and advice as the STCW Convention undergoes global revision, with a call to action to serve the nation, elevate the sector, and prepare India’s maritime workforce for the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Marex Media