Pratik Bijlani –
The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) formally inaugurated the PRANAAM Seafarers Assistance Counter on 21st January at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Terminal 1, Mumbai, marking a significant step forward in enhancing welfare, dignity and ease of travel for Indian seafarers. Designed as a dedicated facilitation desk, the PRANAAM counter will provide timely guidance and on-ground assistance to seafarers transiting through one of India’s busiest international gateways, addressing documentation issues, travel-related queries, emergencies and coordination with relevant authorities.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Chief Guest Mr Sushil Mansingh Khopade, IPS, Additional Director General of Shipping, and Guests of Honour Shri Andrew Watt, Regional Manager – Home Office International Operations, British High Commission, and Shri Hitarth Mankodi, Chief Operating Officer, CSMIA. The event also saw the presence of prominent maritime stakeholders, including Capt Rajesh Tandon, CEO of FOSMA; Capt SM Halbe, CEO of MASSA; Mr. Milind Kandalgaonkar, General Secretary of NUSI; Capt (Dr) Daniel Joseph, DDG (Tech.) at DG Shipping; and Mr. Balakrishna Ranade, Public Relations Officer at MUI, reflecting the industry-wide support for the initiative.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Capt Nitin Mukesh, Deputy Nautical Advisor-cum-Senior DDG (Tech.) at DG Shipping, who outlined the objectives of PRANAAM and its role in strengthening institutional support mechanisms for seafarers. He highlighted the importance of accessibility, facilitation and coordination at airports, which often serve as the first point of contact in a seafarer’s professional journey.
Following the formal inauguration of the counter, a detailed presentation introduced its scope and functions, positioning PRANAAM as a single-point support system aimed at ensuring smoother, safer and more transparent transit for seafarers, particularly those travelling on international assignments. The initiative is being implemented through collaboration between the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society, airport authorities and international partners, including the British High Commission.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Sushil Mansingh Khopade emphasised the Directorate General of Shipping’s commitment to seafarer welfare and dignity, underlining the need for proactive institutional support at airports. He noted that pre-immigration verification and facilitation, especially for UK-bound seafarers, would help prevent avoidable offloading, legal complications and reputational harm. Shri Khopade said during his speech, “A seafarer’s journey does not begin at sea—it begins at the airport. Through the PRANAAM initiative, our objective is to ensure that every Indian seafarer travels with dignity, security and confidence, protected from avoidable hardship and supported through a smooth, transparent transit process.” He added that PRANAAM also aligns with India’s broader goal of increasing its global share of seafarers while enhancing security and trust.
Mr Hitarth Mankodi highlighted Mumbai Airport’s operational scale and passenger-centric approach, noting that it is among the world’s busiest single-runway airports, recently handling over 1,000 air traffic movements in a single day. He welcomed the addition of PRANAAM as a value-enhancing service for seafarers and reaffirmed the airport operator’s commitment to addressing past challenges faced by maritime professionals. Mr Mankodi said, “Mumbai Airport is proud to combine operational excellence with enhanced passenger experience. With initiatives like this, we are committed to ensuring that seafarers—especially those travelling internationally—experience smoother, dignified, and hassle-free journeys, setting a benchmark we aim to replicate across all Adani-managed airports.”
Mr Andrew Watt underscored the strong maritime and people-to-people ties between India and the UK, describing them as a “living bridge” sustained by the contribution of Indian seafarers. He welcomed the collaborative approach underpinning PRANAAM and expressed long-term support for the initiative. Mr Watt said, “Indian seafarers form a vital part of the living bridge between India and the UK. Our shared objective is simple—to ensure that genuine seafarers can travel without hindrance, work with dignity, and continue strengthening the deep maritime and people-to-people ties between our two nations. This initiative reflects our long-term commitment to collaboration, trust, and partnership.”
A ceremonial Guard of Honour by the cadets of SCI MTI, Powai, added a note of maritime tradition and pride to the event, followed by the presentation of mementos, a vote of thanks and an interaction session among stakeholders. The inauguration of the PRANAAM Seafarers Assistance Counter stands as a meaningful milestone in India’s ongoing efforts to place seafarer welfare, dignity and operational ease at the heart of its maritime governance framework.
Marex Media