Pratik Bijlani –
On 9th September, the Board of Examination for Seafarers Trust (BES Trust) celebrated a landmark occasion by hosting its very first Annual Function at the CIDCO Auditorium in Navi Mumbai. The gathering, coinciding with the Trust’s 20th anniversary, brought together distinguished leaders from across India’s maritime administration, shipping industry, and training institutes, underscoring the critical role BES has played in shaping the professional standards of Indian seafarers.
The evening was graced by Mr Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration, as the Chief Guest, along with Capt BK Tyagi, Chairman and Managing Director of the Shipping Corporation of India, who attended as Guest of Honour. Other notable figures included Capt SI Abul Kalam Azad, Nautical Advisor, DGMA; Mr Sushil Mansingh Khopde, IPS, Additional DGMA; Mr Praveen Nair, Chief Surveyor, DGMA; Mr Deependra Singh Bisen, Deputy DGMA; Capt Ajay Achutan, Founding Member of BES Trust; Capt Vivek Bhandarkar, Secretary General, CMMI; Mr Rajeev Nayyer, Co-Chairman, BES Trust and several other stalwarts of the maritime sector.
Capt MP Bhasin, Chairman of the BES Trust, warmly welcomed the gathering and recounted the Trust’s origins in 2005, when CMMI and IMEI, with the support of the Directorate General of Shipping, collaborated to enhance maritime education and introduce the All India Exit Examination for GP Ratings. He highlighted the Trust’s achievements over two decades, including ISO certification, recognition as a charitable trust, and recent digitalisation initiatives that have transformed examinations and certification processes.
Reflecting on the Trust’s journey, Mr Nayyer spoke of its evolution from modest beginnings to its present stature as a respected body serving India’s seafarers. Capt Harish Khatri, CEO of BES Trust, presented a detailed report of activities, noting that over 1,25,000 candidates have been examined and 18,000 seafarers trained through 830 programmes to date. His presentation showcased the Trust’s newly launched digital platform that brings greater efficiency and transparency to registrations, examinations, and certifications.
The event also recognised excellence through a series of awards, honouring top-performing students in GP Rating and CCMC courses, leading institutes such as Jeyanthinathar Academy of Marine Studies (JAMS) and TS Rehman, as well as exam coordinators, examiners, and founding trustees. The recognition celebrated both academic brilliance and institutional dedication, reinforcing the ecosystem that sustains India’s maritime workforce.
In his address, Capt Tyagi paid tribute to his mentors, praised the Trust’s evolution under Capt Khatri’s leadership, and urged higher standards of training to match international benchmarks. Emphasising the larger vision, he remarked, “The role of institutions like BES will be even more critical in India’s maritime growth story.” He also outlined broader national initiatives, including shipbuilding collaborations, use of passenger vessels for training, and CSR support for underprivileged seafarers.
Mr Jagannathan, in his keynote presentation “Empowering Seafarers & Strengthening Maritime India,” reminded the audience of the deep roots of India’s maritime identity, stating, “India has a 5,000-year maritime heritage, and our global identity as a seafaring nation rests on the service and dedication of our seafarers.” He commended BES Trust for its role in ensuring competency and transparency, while calling for greater emphasis on seafarer welfare, training opportunities, and sustained oversight to prevent exploitation.
The inaugural Annual Function of BES Trust concluded with cultural performances by cadets, a vote of thanks by Capt Khatri, and a note of optimism that this milestone will become an annual tradition celebrating excellence, collaboration, and the continued growth of India’s maritime workforce.
Marex Media