Pratik Bijlani –
The International Maritime Federation (IMF) hosted its highly anticipated annual conference, IMF Conference 2024, on December 13, at The Park Hotel in Mumbai. Since its inception in 2015, the IMF has been a driving force in promoting the interests of Indian seafarers and shaping global maritime industry practices. The conference provided a platform for key stakeholders, including shipowners, operators, unions, and maritime leaders, to converge and discuss critical issues related to recruitment ethics, risk management, and innovation, with the aim of fostering a more sustainable and responsible maritime ecosystem.
Capt. Daniel Joseph, Deputy Director General of Shipping (Crew), delivered the keynote address, while Mr. Sanjeev Mehra, Managing Director of Kenmark Tech, skillfully moderated the event as master of ceremonies. The gathering drew a impressive array of esteemed guests, featuring influential figures from the industry such as Capt Nalin Pandey, Chairman of Pentagon Marine Services; Capt Nazir Upadhye, MD of Sibamar Marine Logistics; Capt Tushar Pradhan, General Secretary of MUI; Capt Girish Phadnis, CEO of KAE Maritime Services; Ms.Saleha Shaikh, Founder and Head of the Women’s Wing at MUI, Mr Manoj Yadav, General Secretary of FSUI; Dr Sanjay Bhavnani, Director of MMS Maritime; and Capt Shravan Kumar, CEO of Peninsular Maritime to name a few.
The conference commenced with IMF Chairperson, Mr Vivek Rastogi, underscoring the significance of the event as a unified platform for promoting fair practices in the maritime industry. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between international and Indian maritime federations, setting the tone for a productive and inclusive discussion. IMF Vice-Chairperson, Ms. Aishwarya Pilankar, built upon this theme in her inaugural address, describing the IMF as a “movement” rather than an organization – a collective force driven by a shared commitment to supporting seafarers, empowering businesses, and driving progress in the maritime sector. She also highlighted the organization’s notable achievements, including its efforts to combat unethical recruitment practices, promote gender sensitization, and provide critical support to seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A pre-recorded message from Mr Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, highlighted the ethical complexities inherent in India’s maritime recruitment landscape. He outlined a comprehensive strategy to address these challenges, built around five key pillars: leveraging social media, harnessing advanced electronic platforms, imposing penalties for illicit activities, fostering regular industry dialogue, and establishing a 24×7 grievance helpline. This initiative, he emphasized, is designed to create a maritime ecosystem that aligns with the ambitious Maritime India Vision 2030, which aims to increase India’s share of global seafarers from 12% to 20%.
Capt Joseph’s presentation shed light on the Directorate General of Shipping’s initiatives for seafarers. Addressing India’s position as the leading nation for abandoned seafarers; he highlighted ongoing efforts such as a grievance redressal module, repatriation funds, and crackdowns on fraudulent recruitment agents. He stressed the importance of striking a balance between providing opportunities for seafarers and upholding ethical practices, calling for a collective effort to enhance India’s maritime standards and improve the welfare of its seafarers.
The event’s panel discussions, led by industry experts, tackled risk management and fair recruitment practices. Key challenges, such as fraudulent agents and inadequate oversight, were addressed, and solutions like technology, transparency, and collaboration were proposed. The Maritime Union of India advocated for familiarization courses, social security measures, and stricter RPS agency oversight to protect seafarers.
The IMF Conference 2024 was a game-changer, reaffirming the organization’s dedication to creating a transparent and ethical maritime ecosystem. By promoting shared accountability and innovative solutions, the event paved the way for a more sustainable future in the Indian maritime sector. As a key takeaway, Ms. Pilankar emphasized that the IMF remains a driving force for ethical transformation in the global maritime industry, setting a high standard for others to follow.
Marex Media