The BRICS Seafarers Forum 2026, jointly hosted by the Maritime Union of India (MUI) and the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), concluded at NUSI Bhavan, Mumbai, with a resounding international call for greater cooperation, decent work, social dialogue, and enhanced protection of seafarers.
The Forum brought together the International Labour Organization (ILO), leading seafarers’ trade unions, government representatives, maritime authorities, shipowners, and maritime experts from BRICS nations and partner countries. Delegates from Brazil, Russia, India, Iran, Indonesia, and other nations participated both in person and virtually, united under the commitment: SEAFARERS FIRST.
The Forum was inaugurated by Mr Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Maritime Administration, Government of India. Welcoming international delegates, he underscored the critical challenges confronting the global maritime workforce. “Seafarers remain the backbone of international trade, yet continue to face unprecedented challenges arising from geopolitical tensions, armed conflicts, crew abandonment, rapid technological change and the global transition towards a greener maritime future,” he said.
Referring to the Forum’s theme, “Strengthening Cooperation Among BRICS Seafarers’ Unions for Decent Work, Maritime Sovereignty and Peace,” Shri Jagannathan stressed the importance of closer cooperation and dialogue among BRICS maritime nations to safeguard the rights, welfare, safety, and dignity of seafarers. He welcomed the proposed Mumbai Declaration 2026 and resolutions aimed at advancing welfare and protection across BRICS nations.
The Forum gained further weight with the participation of Ms. Beatriz Vacotto, Head of the Maritime Section, ILO, and Dr. Augusto Grieco Sant’Anna Meirinho, Labour Prosecutor and Secretary for International Labour Cooperation of Brazil’s Labour Prosecution Service.
Ms. Vacotto congratulated the organisers and highlighted the 20th anniversary of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). “The MLC remains a powerful instrument for protecting seafarers through inspections, certification, financial security and insurance mechanisms, and strong social dialogue,” she said. Stressing awareness of rights, she pointed to the 2025 amendments recognising seafarers as key workers and strengthening protections against violence, harassment, and abandonment.
She called for stronger implementation of the MLC, legal reforms, and enhanced global cooperation to ensure effective enforcement of seafarers’ rights.
Extensive discussions covered seafarers’ protection in armed conflicts, crew abandonment, fair treatment, collective bargaining, women in maritime, decarbonisation and Just Transition, AI and automation, cybersecurity, maritime training, cabotage, sovereignty, and occupational safety.
A major outcome was the establishment of the BRICS Seafarers Coordination Network for sustained engagement, alongside a Working Group on Collective Bargaining and Labour Standards to share best practices and strengthen protections.
The Forum’s message was clear: technology must empower seafarers, not replace their rights; decarbonisation must deliver a Just Transition, not job cuts; women must have equal opportunities; and no seafarer should fall victim to war, geopolitics, abandonment, or unjust criminalisation.
M Milind Kandalgaonkar, General Secretary-cum-Treasurer of NUSI, captured the spirit of the Forum: “Ships may sail under different flags and seafarers may come from different nations, but their struggles, sacrifices and aspirations are the same. India has sent a clear message the seafarers of the Global South will cooperate, coordinate and stand together. No seafarer should ever stand alone.”
Building on the foundation laid in Salvador, Brazil, in 2025, the Mumbai Forum marked a decisive step towards a permanent, action-oriented international platform. As delegates affirmed: “From Salvador to Mumbai. From dialogue to action. From cooperation to solidarity.”
The Forum concluded with renewed commitment to strengthen cooperation among seafarers’ unions of the Global South, advancing decent work, dignity, safety, and justice for seafarers worldwide.
Marex Media