Pratik Bijlani –
On 27th September, the Association of Maritime International Commercial Interests & Expertise (AMICIE), in collaboration with Marex Media, hosted a thought-provoking seminar titled “Real Challenges of Today” in Mumbai. The event brought together industry leaders, experts, and seafarers to deliberate on pressing issues facing the maritime sector, with a focus on crew welfare, mental health, and lessons from recent maritime incidents. The seminar underscored the urgent need for collective action, stronger support systems, and proactive safety measures to safeguard seafarers and enhance the industry’s resilience.
The event commenced with a welcome address by Capt. R. Venkat, Chairman of AMICIE, who expressed gratitude to dignitaries and participants attending on a Saturday evening. Capt. Venkat acknowledged Founder Chairman Capt. S. Pullat for organizing the seminar and noted the absence of Capt. Kamal Chadha due to injury. He shared insights on AMICIE’s mission, emphasizing the association’s growing global membership of 40–50 members and its role in giving mariners a collective voice to influence positive change. Capt. Venkat said, “We look forward for better interaction with the people in power so that our ideas are heard and some action is taken towards the welfare of seafarers and for the general improvement of the shipping industry.”
The first panel discussion, “Mariner’s Woes and Welfare,” moderated by Capt. Venkat, featured Capt. Rajesh Tandon, Capt. Shiv Halbe, Capt. Mohan Naik, Capt. Savio Ramos, Capt. Philip Matthews, and Dr. Deepti Mankad. Capt. Venkat emphasized that seafarer welfare extends beyond salaries to include overall well-being on board, ashore, family support, and post-sea life security, urging actionable recommendations to strengthen the culture of welfare across the industry. Capt. Tandon reflected on the Heavy Spirit case, noting the importance of employer responsibility towards crews, and stated, “The good employers are not the ones that you need to lecture to or tell them. They will look after them because they know that it’s the seafarer who drives their ship, it’s the seafarer who will look after their asset.” Capt. Halbe proposed a global Repatriation Fund to protect seafarers in abandonment cases, while Capt. Naik highlighted welfare initiatives, including family insurance, internet facilities, and support for abandoned crew. Capt. Ramos stressed the need for a nodal agency to address shore leave and crew welfare, citing inadequate immigration facilities, and Capt. Matthews and Dr. Mankad emphasized holistic well-being, mental health, fatigue management, and practical support for seafarers on board. Capt. Venkat concluded by highlighting relevant provisions in the new MS Act to improve shore leave, manning, and the handling of abandoned seafarers.
The second panel discussion, “Recent Disasters in Maritime,” moderated by Capt. S. Pullat, included Capt. R. Venkat, Capt. Pankaj Kapoor, Mr. Suresh Amirapu, Mr. Mohanlal Pillai, Ms. Tripti Sharma, and Mr. David Birwadkar. Discussions focused on port and maritime sector challenges, systemic disaster preparedness, and legislative reforms. Participants analysed recent incidents such as Express Pearl, New Diamond, Wakashio, and MSC Chitra, highlighting gaps in monitoring, insurance, training, and technological vulnerabilities. They stressed the need for coordinated disaster response, robust regulatory mechanisms, and infrastructure improvements to support India’s maritime ambitions in shipbuilding and safety.
The seminar concluded with a lively Q&A session, allowing participants to interact directly with panellists, followed by a high tea. The event reinforced AMICIE’s mission to enhance seafarer welfare, operational safety, and proactive engagement between industry stakeholders and authorities, emphasizing the collective responsibility to strengthen the maritime sector.
Marex Media