Pratik Bijlani –
In a significant gathering of maritime industry leaders, the World Maritime University Indian Alumni Association (WMUIAA), the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) Mumbai Branch, and The Nautical Institute (NI) co-hosted a joint seminar on December 7th at the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) in Mumbai. The seminar, themed Making India a Great Maritime Nation provided a platform for the three esteemed organizations to converge and explore the vast potential and opportunities that lie ahead for India’s maritime sector.
The event saw stalwarts of the industry attend like Capt MP Bhasin, Chairman of CMMI; Capt Philip Matthews, Director of SIMTF; Capt SM Halbe, CEO of MASSA; Capt. Pramod Kumar, Director of Eminence Marine; Captain Abul Kalam Azad, Deputy Nautical Advisor of DG Shipping; Capt KN Deboo, Principal at AEMTC and other notable figures. Capt. Anupam Raizada, Co-founder and Director of Offing Group was the master of ceremonies for the event.
The Chief Guest, Mr Sven Ostberg, Consul General of Sweden, took the stage to highlight the robust trade and investment relationships between Sweden and India. He pointed out “Swedish companies have a significant presence in India, employing around 200,000 Indians directly and a whopping two million indirectly, which is a substantial contribution to India’s economy and aligns perfectly with the ‘Make in India’ initiative”. He also stressed the importance of bilateral maritime cooperation, particularly in areas like green shipping, security, and anti-piracy efforts, which are crucial for the growth and development of both nations. Additionally, he praised the World Maritime University (WMU) in Malmö for its outstanding work in fostering global maritime capacity building, and emphasized the need for deeper cooperation between Sweden and India to drive progress in the maritime sector.
The first Guest of Honor, Capt BK Tyagi, CMD of The Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI) spoke passionately about India’s maritime ambitions. He emphasized, “These three institutions—World Maritime University, ICS, and the Nautical Institute—can play pivotal roles in research, data collection, and shaping strategies for the future of the maritime industry.” Highlighting India’s vast potential, he mentioned that the nation currently accounts for less than 1% of global shipbuilding and 5% of cargo carriage on Indian vessels. He encouraged leveraging India’s young workforce and targeted government policies to increase these figures significantly.
Mr Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman of IRS, the second Guest of Honour discussed India’s emergence as a maritime powerhouse amid global shifts in decarbonization and digitalization. He praised India’s aspirations to expand shipbuilding, recycling, and workforce contributions, asserting these goals as crucial for positioning India as a leader in global shipping.
Capt Azad was among the notable attendees who delivered speeches that highlighted India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. This vision is incredibly ambitious, aiming for India to capture 10% of the global shipbuilding market and provide a whopping 20% of the world’s seafarer workforce. Capt Azad praised WMUIAA efforts to bring stakeholders together and encouraged the maritime community to collaborate and work towards achieving these lofty goals.
The event was further enriched by engaging panel discussions and presentations, which showcased the diverse perspectives and expertise of the participants. Notably, DIG Mukund Gujar of the Indian Coast Guard detailed their multi-faceted role, including saving over 15,000 lives and preventing contraband worth ₹52,000 crores. Meanwhile, industry experts like Capt Anil Bhatia and Capt KN Deboo highlighted the significance of mentoring and training to prepare India’s seafarers for future challenges in alternative fuels and advanced digital systems. Prof. Maximo Mejia of WMU, in a video address, urged participants to embrace innovation and sustainability while tackling issues like climate change and maritime security.
Capt. Mohan Naik of the Nautical Institute and Capt. Ashok Gogia of the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) delivered a compelling presentation that emphasized the vital importance of professional education, mentorship, and collaboration in shaping the future of the maritime industry. Their insightful discussion highlighted the need for a cohesive and structured approach to developing the skills and knowledge of maritime professionals, and the role that mentorship and collaboration can play in fostering a culture of excellence and innovation.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Capt. Philip Matthews, leaving attendees inspired to collaborate and contribute to making India a great maritime nation.
Marex Media