Pratik Bijlani –
NYK Shipmanagement successfully hosted its Officers’ Seminar 2026 on 16–17 April at The Westin Mumbai Powai Lake, bringing together a distinguished gathering of seafaring officers and shore-based leadership. Centred around the theme SAIL Together—an acronym for Support, Appreciate, Include, and Learn—the seminar offered a comprehensive platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and alignment with the company’s long-term vision in an evolving maritime landscape.
The event opened with a warm welcome by Mr. Keshav Agarwala, Country Manager, NYKSM India, who set the tone by emphasizing unity, diversity, and shared growth across the organization. Reflecting on his own 22-year journey within the company and the growth of its India operations, he underscored the significance of the seminar as a vital forum for engagement. As he aptly stated, “We must sail together—support, appreciate, include, and learn—embracing diversity across nationalities, genders, and beliefs. This seminar is our platform to connect, exchange ideas, reflect on past experiences, and strengthen collaboration between owners, managers, and seafarers, so that we grow together as one unified organization committed to excellence and progress.”
The seminar’s central theme was thoughtfully woven into every session. The element of “Support” highlighted the importance of strengthening ship-shore connectivity and ensuring that officers are equipped with the tools and resources necessary to operate safely and efficiently. “Appreciate” focused on recognizing the resilience and commitment of seafarers, reinforcing a culture that values teamwork and performance. “Include” emphasized fostering diversity, open dialogue, and mutual respect across ranks and nationalities, while “Learn” underscored the need for continuous professional development and learning from real-world operational experiences.
Mr. Shingo Mizutani, Chairman and CEO, NYKSM Singapore, delivered a compelling address acknowledging the challenges facing global shipping, including geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and rapid changes in the energy landscape. He reiterated the critical role of seafarers in sustaining global logistics and adapting to emerging technologies. “We deeply value your dedication to safe vessel operations in an uncertain world. As our industry evolves with new technologies and fuels, your skills and teamwork are vital. We are here to listen, learn, and strengthen trust—because you are at the heart of everything we do, and together we move forward,” he said, reinforcing the company’s commitment to its workforce.
The various segments and speakers in course of the seminar were stitched together by brief introductions from Mr. Deepak Arora (General Manager, MHR) and Capt Purendu Nansi (General Manager, NYKSM India).
An engaging start to the technical sessions came through an interactive ice-breaking activity led by HSEQ & Marine Ops Manager Capt. Rajat Marwaha, using the LEGO Serious Play concept. The session effectively demonstrated how diverse perspectives can emerge from identical resources, highlighting the importance of creativity, communication, and teamwork. Participants collaborated to build shared visions, reinforcing the seminar’s overarching theme of unity and inclusion.
A series of insightful presentations followed, addressing both operational and human aspects of maritime management. MHR-Manning Manager Capt. Ishan Chauhan shed light on the often-overlooked complexities behind crew changes in his presentation, “I’m Onboard – The Invisible Engine behind the Seafarer Joining a Vessel.” Through real-life scenarios, he illustrated how minor disruptions—ranging from documentation issues to geopolitical challenges—can cascade into significant delays, emphasizing the importance of coordination, planning, and accountability.
Senior Vessel Manager Mr. Diptendra Paul focused on the role of data integrity in procurement and maintenance systems, stressing that accurate PMS inputs are critical for enabling predictive, AI-driven decision-making. Similarly, WSS – Business Development Manager Mr. Gamaliel Wee highlighted the risks associated with mooring operations, drawing attention to rope failures and the importance of proactive inspections, adherence to OCIMF MEG4 standards, and crew awareness.
Capt. Rajat Marwaha, HSEQ & Marine Ops Manager, further led a workshop analysing a near-miss LNG vessel incident, demonstrating how multiple small failures—ranging from poor communication to lack of defined procedures—can escalate into serious risks. This session reinforced the importance of proactive risk assessment and strong coordination between ship and shore teams.
A creative highlight of Day 1 was “The Invisible Guest” skit performed by NYKSM India, which used humour and realism to depict the serious consequences of lapses in ship security. The skit effectively conveyed lessons on vigilance, access control, and accountability, leaving a lasting impression on the audience.
The seminar also addressed broader themes beyond operations. HSEQ & Marine Ops Manager Mr. Deepak Rawat emphasized the importance of viewing audit findings as opportunities for improvement rather than judgment, while Dr. S. Mohan Raj’s session on “Digital Detox” explored the growing impact of digital overuse on mental health and productivity, urging seafarers to adopt balanced habits.
An interactive Q&A session and a separate meeting with seafarers was held subsequntly that allowed participants to voice concerns, share experiences, and engage directly with the leadership.
Day 1 concluded with a summary of key takeaways and a ceremony recognizing long-serving employees, followed by an evening get-together over dinner and cocktails.
Day 2 continued with equally impactful sessions. Mr. Anshuman Ghosh and Capt. Akshat Arora, (leaders from UK P&I Club), highlighted how maritime incidents often result from cascading failures, emphasizing the importance of realistic emergency drills and adherence to procedures.
Senior DGM Mr. Amar Jadhav presented a case study on diesel generator damage, illustrating how human errors and procedural lapses can lead to significant operational consequences.
Senior DGM Capt. Narayan Kamath’s session on blackout prevention reinforced that most such incidents stem from human factors rather than equipment failure. He stressed the importance of procedural discipline, proper load management, and conscious actions, advocating practices such as “finger pointing and calling” to minimize errors.
MTD Manager Capt. Avatansh Srivastava addressed the critical issue of communication gaps, demonstrating through case studies how misunderstandings can lead to accidents, delays, and inefficiencies. His introduction of structured communication frameworks highlighted the need for clarity, verification, and assertiveness in maritime operations.
A particularly impactful session on “Women In Maritime” was delivered by Ms. Saleha Shaikh, who spoke on the importance of inclusion and the role of women in maritime. Highlighting that women currently represent only 1–2% of the workforce, she emphasized the need for systemic change, gender sensitization, and safe working environments. Her message reinforced that diversity is not just a moral imperative but a driver of better decision-making and operational performance.
Capt. Vivek Venugopal, HSEQ DGM / DPA, concluded the technical sessions by addressing key safety concerns and compliance issues. While acknowledging improvements in fleet performance, he highlighted areas such as personal safety, navigation incidents, and oil spill prevention as ongoing priorities. His emphasis on process adherence, proactive maintenance, and disciplined operations resonated strongly with the audience.
The seminar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing officers to engage directly with the leadership, followed by closing remarks from Mr. Anubhav Garg, MD and COO of NYKSM Singapore.
His presentation on “Normalization of Deviance” was well received by the audience.
The event concluded with breakout meetings between seafarers and management across different vessel segments, including VLCC, LPG, LNG, and Container and Bulk carriers. These focused interactions enabled more targeted discussions and strengthened alignment across fleet operations.
Inauguration of the NYKSM Training Center
A key highlight surrounding the dialogue was the formal opening of the NYKSM Training Center in Turbhe, Navi Mumbai on the evening of 17th April.
The inauguration of NYKSM’s new training facility was led by Chief Guest Mr. Deependra Singh Bisen, Deputy Director General of Shipping, alongside senior executives from NYK Line Tokyo, NYKSM Singapore, NYKSM India, and distinguished leaders from Indian maritime associations. The ceremony, marked by the traditional ribbon‑cutting and lamp‑lighting, symbolized longevity and positive energy.
Reflecting NYKSM’s long‑term commitment to structured, high‑quality training, the centre is designed to strengthen seafarer competency across all ranks. Equipped for scenario‑based, practical learning, it bridges the gap between onboard experience and shore‑based instruction—covering safety procedures, technical operations, leadership, and communication.
The inauguration reaffirmed NYKSM’s belief that continuous training is vital not only for compliance, but for building confidence, enhancing decision‑making, and embedding a strong safety culture across its global fleet.
The Officers Seminar 2026 once again reaffirmed NYKSM’s focus on safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement. By bringing together diverse stakeholders under a unified theme, the event not only facilitated meaningful dialogue but also strengthened the collective vision of building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready maritime workforce.
Marex Media
Zero‑Incident Vision
“Preparing for future fuels and ESG demands starts with training and empowering our seafarers. With India as a key talent hub, investments like our Navi Mumbai training centre enhance skills, reduce travel, and support sustainability. Through dialogue and technology, we aim to minimize human error and move steadily toward our zero-incident goals.” – Mr Anubhav Garg, MD & COO, NYKSM Singapore
Turning Feedback into Safer Seas
“NYKSM’s strength lies in learning from experience and listening to our seafarers. The Officers Seminar fosters open dialogue, turning incidents into lessons and feedback into action. With our new Navi Mumbai Training Centre, we are furthering the strengthening of skills, safety culture, and engagement with the seafarers —ensuring continuous improvement and progress toward our zero-incident goals.” – Mr Keshav Agarwala, Country Manager, NYKSM India
Building Skills for Zero‑Incident
“Training is the cornerstone of safe maritime operations. By combining real-time feedback from seafarers, advanced simulator-based learning, and emerging technologies like AR and VR, we aim to build a future-ready workforce. Our goal is clear—to equip seafarers with the skills, confidence, and judgment required to achieve zero-incident operations across the fleet.” – Capt Munusamy Komahan, Senior Deputy General Manager, NYKSM Training Centre – Navi Mumbai