Jagdamba Prasad Pandey –
The International Maritime Federation (IMF) and the Forward Seaman Union of India (FSUI), in association with Srichakra Maritime College, successfully hosted a high-level maritime dialogue on Building a Future-Ready Maritime Workforce at the Andhra Social & Cultural Association (ASCA), Chennai.
The event brought together a cross-section of the maritime community, including Master Mariners, Chief Engineers, Recruiting & Placement Services License (RPSL) representatives, heads of training institutes, and key industry stakeholders. The dialogue aimed to address pressing challenges in seafarer training, welfare, and workforce preparedness in an era of rapid technological change and evolving global regulations.
Dr KVR Srinivas opened the proceedings with a warm welcome that set the tone for collaboration and collective responsibility within the maritime fraternity. The inaugural session featured a ceremonial lamp lighting, stirring patriotic renditions, and a solemn moment of silence in memory of seafarers who lost their lives in recent maritime incidents. The tribute served as a poignant reminder of the human element at the heart of the shipping industry.
In her address, Ms Aishwarya Gupta Pilankar, Vice Chairperson of IMF, emphasized the critical role of maritime training institutes and RPSL agencies in upholding and exceeding global standards. She noted that with shipping becoming increasingly digitalized and decarbonized, India’s maritime workforce must be equipped not just with technical skills, but also with adaptability, safety awareness, and global compliance knowledge.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr Syed Asif Altaf Chowdhury, ITF Representative. He spoke on the current global challenges facing seafarers, including crew change issues, mental health, and the impact of automation. Dr Chowdhury called for stronger industry commitment to seafarers’ welfare and urged all stakeholders to align training and employment practices with international conventions to ensure dignity and security at sea.
Mr Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of FSUI, further highlighted the need for robust social security and support systems for Indian seafarers and their families. He stressed that a “future-ready” workforce must also be a protected workforce, with access to healthcare, insurance, and grievance redressal mechanisms that match global benchmarks.
The core of the event comprised technical sessions led by eminent maritime professionals, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Ms Gupta. The panel comprised Capt. Vinayak Gupta of Sunav Maritime, Capt. J. Manivannan of Indian Maritime University, Mr. Binesh Chandra Varma, Seaman Welfare Officer, DG Shipping, Capt. Lalith Kumar of ICS Chennai, and Mr. Narendra Rao of FSUI Chennai.
The discussion covered training standards, integration of new technologies such as AI and autonomous systems, competency assessment, and the gap between academic curricula and onboard realities.
Panellists agreed that collaboration between RPSLs, training institutes, regulators, and unions is essential to bridge this gap and to ensure Indian seafarers remain competitive in the global market.
A highlight of the evening was a special felicitation presented to Capt. Yashwanth Raj, recognized as one of the youngest Master Mariners. His achievement was celebrated as an inspiration for aspiring cadets and a testament to the quality of Indian maritime training.
The dialogue concluded with a vote of thanks by Capt. Raman Jayaram, followed by the National Anthem and a networking dinner that allowed participants to continue discussions in an informal setting.
The event was well-received by attendees and reinforced a key message: building a resilient, skilled, and future-ready maritime workforce requires sustained partnership between industry, government, unions, and academia. With India aiming to be a global hub for seafarer supply, such dialogues are vital to aligning training, policy, and welfare with the demands of tomorrow’s shipping industry.
Marex Media