India stands at the cusp of a maritime renaissance. With the government announcing a ₹70,000 crore investment to build ships and support the maritime sector, the vision for a robust national fleet is clear. Yet, this vision risks being undermined by a glaring omission: the absence of a tangible, scalable plan to develop the human capital required to man these vessels.
The goal of increasing India’s share in the global seafaring workforce—from the current 12% to 20–25%—cannot be achieved by merely urging RPS agencies and foreign employers to absorb more Indian cadets. That approach is reactive, fragmented, and insufficient. What we need is a bold, systemic intervention. It’s time to bring back the Cadet Training Ship (CTS) programme.
A Proven Model That Built India’s Maritime Reputation
From the 1970s through the 1990s, the Indian Flag shipping led by Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) played a pivotal role in shaping India’s maritime manpower. While T.S. Rajendra served as a dedicated pre-sea cadet training ship under the Directorate General of Shipping, SCI’s merchant fleet itself became a floating training facility for thousands of cadets. Over the years these ships offered immersive, hands-on training that not only fulfilled mandatory sea time requirements but also instilled discipline, resilience, and operational excellence.
The results were extraordinary. Officers trained during this era—a large number of whom completed their required sea-time on SCI cadet ships—earned global recognition for their competence and reliability. India’s reputation as a trusted supplier of maritime talent was built on the back of this initiative. It was not just a training programme; it was a nation-building exercise.
What is often overlooked in the annals of history is that the cadets trained on roughly 25 cadet ships during the 1970s and 1980s helped transform the global landscape of third‑party crew supply. Their contribution established Indian seafarers as a recognised, sustainable, and enduring source of maritime talent.
Why the Programme Was Discontinued—and Why It Must Return
It is largely believed that SCI’s cadet training initiative was eventually discontinued due to two key challenges:
• Manpower drain: During shipping booms, Indian Shipowners, particularly SCI, struggled to retain crew as many left the company for better-paying foreign jobs.
• Cost pressures: During downturns, the financial burden of maintaining training programmes became unsustainable.
With zero government support, this double whammy forced SCI to abandon a programme that had proven its worth. But today, with the government’s massive capital outlay and a renewed focus on maritime growth, the conditions are ripe for revival—provided we learn from the past.
A Cost-Neutral, Government-Backed Revival
To ensure sustainability, the CTS programme must be reintroduced on a cost-neutral basis. Indian shipowners should not be penalized commercially for investing in national manpower development. Government subsidies are necessary to cover additional costs necessary to provide added infrastructure to ships being built to be capable to train deck and engine officer trainees. The current Maritime Training Trust (MTT) collections are not believed to be adequate, hence a dedicated manpower development fund, must be deployed to offset the additional training costs.
Reviving the Cadet Training Ship (CTS) programme is not a nostalgic indulgence—it’s a strategic imperative to capitalise on our demographic dividend. It honours our legacy, meets our present needs, and secures our maritime future. Let Indian shipowners, led by the SCI once again lead the way, not just as a carrier of cargo, but as a carrier of dreams, discipline, and national pride.
This is not charity—it’s strategic investment. The returns are manifold:
• A steady pipeline of trained officers for Indian and global fleets.
• Enhanced employability of Indian cadets who have completed their presea training.
• Strengthened national maritime capability.
Quoting from the Prime Minister’s Maritime India Vision 2030 and Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, the aim is to transform India into global maritime player and in providing the world fleet with qualified manpower.
The Time Is Now.
India has the skills.
India has the opportunity.
What we need is political will.
Looking at the example of China and United States reinforces the case for a state-led revival of Cadet Training Ships in India.
United States – U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA)
The U.S. government has long recognized the strategic importance of maritime manpower. Through the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), cadets undergo rigorous academic training combined with a mandatory sea-year aboard commercial vessels. This sea-time—approximately 300 days—is fully integrated into the curriculum and supported by federal oversight.
• State-backed infrastructure ensures cadets receive STCW-compliant training.
• Graduates serve in both commercial and military maritime roles, reinforcing national resilience.
• The program is a cornerstone of U.S. maritime policy, ensuring a steady supply of qualified officers.
India can draw inspiration from this model by embedding sea-time into a national cadetship framework, supported by Indian-owned tonnage and government subsidies.
China – COSCO & Dalian Maritime University
China’s maritime rise has been fuelled by state-owned enterprises like COSCO, which collaborate with institutions such as Dalian Maritime University to deliver structured cadet training.
• Cadets train aboard dedicated training ships and commercial vessels owned by COSCO.
• The government actively funds and incentivizes manpower development as part of its Belt and Road maritime strategy.
• This alignment between policy, education, and industry has positioned China as a formidable maritime power.
Strategic Implication for India
India’s Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), with its legacy and infrastructure, is well-placed to emulate this model—provided it receives the necessary policy and financial support.
Both the U.S. and China treat maritime manpower as a national strategic asset, not merely a commercial byproduct. Their cadet training programs are state-led, cost-buffered, and future-focused. India must do the same.
Reviving the Cadet Training Ship program similar to the one run by The Shipping Corporation of India in the past, with government backing, is not just a tribute to our past—it’s a blueprint for our future.
Let us not miss this tide…
Marex Media