The seminar on “Recent Initiatives for the Maritime Sector,” held on April 2, at the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) in Mumbai, formed a key part of the 63rd National Maritime Day celebrations under the aegis of the Directorate General of Shipping. Bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and maritime professionals, the session focused on critical pillars shaping India’s maritime future, including shipbuilding and repair, ship recycling, environmental protection, and seafarer training.
With Mr Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman of IRS, as Chief Guest, and Mr Shyam Jagannathan as Guest of Honour, the seminar underscored India’s growing ambition to emerge as a global maritime hub. Discussions highlighted strong policy support, financial incentives, and infrastructure development aimed at strengthening domestic shipbuilding and repair capabilities, while also reinforcing India’s leadership in sustainable ship recycling aligned with global standards.
In his keynote address, Mr Killi Mohana Rao emphasized the maritime sector’s role as a driver of trade, sustainability, and economic growth, noting progress in digitalization, safety, and regulatory efficiency. He stressed the urgency of decarbonization through cleaner fuels and green technologies, alongside continued focus on seafarer welfare and collaborative industry efforts.
Mr Jagannathan outlined key priorities for India’s maritime growth, including shipbuilding expansion, decarbonization, and human capital development. Mr Jagannathan stated, “India’s maritime future lies in strengthening shipbuilding, advancing sustainable recycling, accelerating decarbonization, and investing in our seafarers. Amid global uncertainties, collective effort, progressive policy, and resilient operations will enable us to transform challenges into opportunities and position India among the world’s leading maritime nations with confidence and purpose.”
Mr Sharma highlighted the enduring importance of the human element in maritime operations, even as the industry undergoes rapid technological transformation. Mr Sharma articulated, “Technology may transform ships, but it is human judgment, courage, and experience that ensure safety at sea. The future of maritime lies not only in innovation, but in mentoring, training, and empowering seafarers to lead with confidence in moments of uncertainty.”
The seminar featured detailed presentations on India’s maritime roadmap. Sessions on shipbuilding outlined strategies to elevate India’s global ranking through financial assistance, infrastructure clusters, and policy reforms. Discussions on ship recycling highlighted India’s dominant position in the sector, supported by robust regulatory frameworks and sustainable practices. Environmental sessions focused on decarbonization pathways, alternative fuels such as LNG, methanol, ammonia, and hydrogen, and initiatives including green corridors and shore power adoption.
Equally significant was the emphasis on maritime training and upskilling, with speakers advocating technology-driven learning, digital certification systems, and inclusive workforce development. The importance of bridging skill gaps and enhancing training quality was highlighted as essential for supporting India’s expanding maritime ambitions.
A panel discussion moderated by Mr Kaushik Seal brought together industry leaders to examine practical challenges, including the need for indigenous ship design capabilities, faster policy implementation, and addressing the complexities of decarbonization. The discussion also underscored the central role of seafarers, continuous learning, and gender inclusion in building a resilient and future-ready maritime workforce.
The seminar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Dr Sudhir Kohakade and a networking session, reflecting a collaborative and forward-looking approach to advancing India’s maritime sector in alignment with global trends and sustainability goals.
Marex Media
