Pratik Bijlani – For Seaspan, cadet training is about far more than preparing young seafarers for their first voyage—it is about shaping the future leadership of the global shipping industry. That philosophy was evident as the company celebrated the successful completion of training by its latest batch of deck cadets, a group that also reflected Seaspan’s growing commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Among the graduating batch were 16 women and 2 men, highlighting the company’s sustained efforts to encourage greater female participation in seafaring. India continues to play a pivotal role in Seaspan’s global cadet development programme, which recruits more than 200 cadets annually across its worldwide operations.
Reflecting on the milestone, Capt Dinesh Jairam, General Manager described the transformation of cadets over the course of their year-long training as the programme’s greatest reward. “Our greatest achievement is not simply training cadets, but watching them grow into confident maritime professionals. By investing in in-house talent and creating an inclusive environment for women, we are building the next generation of leaders who will shape the future of the shipping industry,” he said.
That long-term approach remains central to Seaspan’s talent strategy. Rather than relying heavily on experienced external recruitment, the company continues to develop officers from within, nurturing cadets throughout their careers. Many former trainees today serve as Captains, Chief Engineers and shore-based professionals across Seaspan’s offices in India, Vancouver, Korea and China, reinforcing a culture built on shared values, operational excellence and continuous learning.
Equally important is Seaspan’s commitment to making life at sea more inclusive for women. The company continues to increase the intake of female deck, engine and electro-technical cadets while assigning multiple women to the same vessels to foster mentorship, peer support and a stronger onboard community. Dedicated women engagement champions across its global operations, together with purpose-built accommodation, changing rooms, laundry facilities and common spaces on newer vessels, have further strengthened that commitment.
As Capt Jairam noted, “Gender diversity is central to our vision for the future. We are committed to creating an environment where women can thrive at sea through mentorship, dedicated facilities and an inclusive culture that supports their professional growth.”
As Seaspan continues to expand its global fleet, its investment in homegrown talent and inclusive leadership demonstrates that the future of shipping will be shaped not only by larger vessels and new technologies, but by confident, well-trained professionals empowered to succeed at sea.
Marex Media