Pratik Bijlani –
On 22nd August, the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) and DMECA hosted a forward-looking seminar titled “Maritime Workforce 2030: Pathway, Progress and Preparedness” at IRS, Mumbai. The day began with a welcome address by Mr. T.K. Sahu, Joint Managing Director of IRS, who expressed enthusiasm for the rich discussions that lay ahead.
The keynote was delivered by Mr. Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman of IRS, who reminded attendees that global shipping is entering its third “super cycle” in 160 years. The first was the shift from sail to steam in the 19th century, the second was containerization in the 20th, and the third—unfolding today—is driven by digital transformation, advanced technology, and the urgent push toward sustainability. He highlighted how future ships will be smaller and more efficient, with dual-fuel engines and performance measured not by fuel consumption but by carbon emissions per ton-mile.
While net-zero fuels such as methanol, hydrogen, and ammonia are on the horizon, Mr. Sharma noted challenges in ensuring their green production. He also pointed to nuclear energy—particularly thorium-based reactor technologies—as a potential “dark horse” that could redefine maritime energy in the years ahead. Stressing that this transition demands a new generation of skills, he urged the sector to recalibrate maritime education, embrace digitalization and IoT, and elevate the aspirational profile of seafaring careers to align with premier institutes like the IITs.
The highlight of the seminar was two engaging panel discussions. The first, “Beyond the Seas – Career Pathways Post-Seafaring”, was moderated by Mr. Mudit Mehrotra and explored the transition from sea to shore. The panellists shared personal journeys and reflections on preparing for life beyond shipboard service. Mr. Patil stressed that the resilience and problem-solving skills of mariners are valuable in industries ranging from port management to maritime law.
Mr. Gupta emphasized the importance of self-expression in career progression, remarking, “Technical skills get you started, but communication skills define how far you go ashore.” Mr. Pradhan added a human dimension to the discussion, observing, “Competence must always be balanced with compassion—because leadership is about people, not just processes.” The session underscored that while seafarers’ technical strengths remain indispensable, success ashore requires communication, empathy, business acumen, and networking.
The second panel, “Future Skills for Maritime 2030 – AI, Sustainability & Beyond”, moderated by Mr. Prateek Khanna, brought together experts from technology, training, and ship management. Mr. Manish Jha reflected on the challenges faced by maritime institutes in attracting top talent to training roles, while stressing the importance of aligning classroom outcomes with onboard performance. Mr. Rabindra Sah (IRS) turned attention to technology adoption, noting, “Shipping is nearly twenty years behind other industries in adopting technology. We need to build a collaborative ecosystem—from design and manufacturing to operations—so that the whole sector moves forward together.” He further called for the development of “T-shaped skills,” enabling professionals to combine deep expertise with broad adaptability. Closing the session, Mr. Sanjay Shesh made a case for a new approach to learning, stating, “Education of the future must embrace uniqueness and exploration. Leaders should learn to ask rather than tell—because that is what will make them resilient in an AI-driven world.”
The day concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Pradeep Singh, followed by a lively networking session over high tea. As the seminar highlighted, the maritime workforce of tomorrow must be adaptive, collaborative, and forward-thinking—ready to navigate an industry that is rapidly redefining itself.
Marex Media