Pratik Bijlani –
As the maritime industry accelerates towards decarbonisation, digitalisation and increasingly complex ship operations, the role of maritime trainers has never been more critical. Reflecting this changing landscape, the Maritime Trainers Guild (MTG) celebrated its 15th Foundation Day on 1st August at Bharat Ratnam, Mumbai, with a conference themed Transforming Maritime Education: Fuels, Faculty & Digital Tools. Bringing together maritime educators, industry leaders, regulators and seafarers, the event explored how training institutions must evolve to prepare future seafarers for a greener, smarter and more technology-driven shipping industry. The conference was graced by Chief Guest Mr Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Maritime Administration.
The proceedings began on a solemn note as Capt. Kamal Chadha, Secretary-cum-Treasurer of MTG, paid tribute to Indian seafarers who recently lost their lives in conflict zones, observing a moment of silence in recognition of their sacrifice in keeping global trade moving under increasingly challenging circumstances. Welcoming distinguished guests, maritime educators and members, he reflected on MTG’s 15-year journey and formally inaugurated the celebration with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.
In his presidential address, Capt. Prabhat Nigam looked back at MTG’s evolution from an idea conceived in 2011 into one of India’s foremost platforms dedicated to maritime educators. Recounting milestones ranging from nationwide conferences and trainer development programmes during the COVID-19 pandemic to recognising excellence in maritime instruction and expanding the Guild’s presence across major maritime centres, he emphasised that while artificial intelligence, digitalisation and alternative fuels are reshaping shipping, technology can only complement—not replace—the experience, judgement and mentorship that define an exceptional trainer.
Guest of Honour Capt Sanjay Prashar, CEO of VR Maritime Services, described MTG as a rare organisation driven entirely by its commitment to education rather than commercial interests. “Maritime Trainers Guild is a unique platform driven not by business interests but by a commitment to strengthen maritime education. Investing in trainers today will determine the competence, professionalism and future success of India’s seafaring workforce,” he said. Calling for closer collaboration between MTG and the Directorate General of Shipping, he urged a review of regulations affecting faculty workload, competency standards and digital governance, noting that excessive compliance requirements can detract from effective teaching. Expressing confidence in India’s maritime future, he predicted that the country would emerge as the world’s largest supplier of seafarers by 2030.
Guest of Honour, Former CMD of Shipping Corporation of India, Ms. H.K. Joshi congratulated MTG on completing fifteen years while reminding delegates that the anniversary was equally an opportunity to look ahead. “Maritime trainers are not merely passing on knowledge; they are shaping what the next generation of Indian seafarers will consider normal. The quality of training today will define the future of our maritime industry,” she observed. She highlighted the need to prepare cadets for alternative fuels, strengthen faculty development through continuous upskilling, embrace digital technologies responsibly, promote gender-inclusive leadership and preserve the timeless values of seamanship even as training methods evolve.
Delivering his address, Mr Jagannathan painted a comprehensive picture of an industry confronting unprecedented geopolitical and technological disruption. Referring to ongoing conflicts in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and the Black Sea, alongside piracy threats, he acknowledged the challenges faced by Indian seafarers while outlining the Government’s vision of transforming the Directorate General of Shipping into a comprehensive maritime administration encompassing ports, shipbuilding, ship recycling, offshore energy and inland waterways. He detailed initiatives supporting maritime decarbonisation, alternative fuels, green ports, digital governance, maritime insurance and skill development under Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Inviting MTG to play a greater role in shaping future training standards, he remarked, “India’s greatest maritime asset is not its ports or ships, but its seafarers. Strengthening their safety, skills and welfare must remain at the heart of every maritime policy and every reform we undertake.”
Following the release of the MTG souvenir and the felicitation of corporate member Mintra, office bearers and delegates, Mr PK Mishra, Managing Director, Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), delivered the first keynote insight session on “Adapting to Changing Technologies in Maritime Education.” He emphasised that trainers must continuously upgrade their own competencies alongside advances in artificial intelligence, digitalisation, alternative fuels, virtual and augmented reality, advanced simulators and emergency-response training. Stronger collaboration between academia, industry, shipyards, ports and classification societies, he said, would ensure future seafarers are equipped with the adaptability required for increasingly sophisticated ship operations.
The first panel forum, “Preparing Seafarers for Multi Fuel Operations,” examined how maritime education must respond to the industry’s transition towards alternative fuels. Moderator Mr. Kaushik Seal framed the discussion by highlighting that sustainability-driven technological change demands future-ready training systems built around competence rather than compliance. Ms. Sonali Banerjee observed that preparing seafarers begins with preparing trainers themselves, advocating closer collaboration between OEMs, classification societies and shipping companies, alongside competency-based learning and soft-skills development. Dr. Sanjay Bhavnani said India has a unique opportunity to shape global standards for alternate-fuel training through dynamic curricula, structured onboard mentoring, simulator integration and stronger stakeholder collaboration. Mr. Aseem Malik noted that technological developments are advancing faster than existing training frameworks, making continuous curriculum updates and stronger partnerships between educators, operators and experienced seafarers essential. Concluding the session, Mr. Mohan Singh Pal called for proactive trainer development through structured “train-the-trainer” programmes, wider simulator usage, curriculum revision and faculty participation as external examiners to continually refine teaching quality based on operational feedback.
In his keynote insight, Capt. Pankaj Kapoor, Managing Director of Quadraant Legal, examined artificial intelligence through the lens of operational safety and maritime law. Drawing on real-world legal cases involving cyberattacks, GPS spoofing, navigation failures, bunker spills and emergency decision-making, he argued that while AI offers powerful tools through personalised learning, simulators and decision-support systems, it should strengthen—not replace—the professional judgement, critical thinking and practical competence that remain fundamental to safe ship operations.
The second panel forum, “Faculty, Simulators and Training Resources: Building Training Capacity,” explored how institutions can strengthen their teaching ecosystems. Moderator Mr. David Birwadkar stressed that despite advances in automation and artificial intelligence, competent seafarers remain the industry’s greatest safety asset and that building capacity requires stronger faculty, better simulators and closer collaboration between training institutes and industry. Capt. Viraf Chichgar advocated cloud-based simulators, AI-assisted assessment, shared training resources and outcome-based learning while emphasising that technology should empower trainers rather than replace them. Mr. Tejinder Pal Singh Bhamra highlighted AI’s growing contribution to watchkeeping, predictive maintenance and language learning but maintained that instructor-led practical training remains irreplaceable. Mr. Pushkar Kapoor argued that successful digital transformation depends not on isolated technology investments but on institution-wide strategies combining faculty development, competency-based assessment and structured implementation. Capt. Gaurav Chhabra called for greater investment, regulatory support and incentives to encourage innovation, improve faculty remuneration and strengthen institutions willing to adopt future-ready technologies. Concluding the panel, Mr. Swapneil Tamhankar advocated highly realistic, scenario-based simulator exercises that expose cadets to operational stress, equipment failures and communication challenges, ensuring they develop the practical judgement and decision-making skills required during real emergencies at sea.
The conference concluded with a vote of thanks by Ms Delphine Estibeiro before delegates gathered for dinner and networking. As MTG celebrated fifteen years of advancing maritime education, the discussions reinforced a common message: the future of shipping will undoubtedly be shaped by cleaner fuels, smarter technologies and digital innovation, but its success will ultimately depend on the trainers who prepare seafarers to navigate that future with competence, confidence and sound professional judgement.
Marex Media