Pratik Bijlani –
At India Maritime Week 2025 (IMW 2025), the Shipping Corporation of India Limited (SCI), in collaboration with the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), organized a seminar on “Maritime Human Capital”—a powerful dialogue on the future of India’s maritime workforce. Themed “Navigating the Future: Building a Modern Maritime Workforce,” the session focused on the transformation of human capital as the cornerstone of India’s maritime ambitions in an era of digitalisation, decarbonisation, and global competition.
Chief Guest Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Hon’ble Minister of Labour and Employment, Youth Affairs and Sports, graced the occasion. The event began with a warm welcome by Capt. B. K. Tyagi, CMD of SCI, who set the tone for an inspiring and forward-looking discussion. Addressing dignitaries, maritime professionals, and seafarers across the globe, he underscored that this session, hosted in the largest hall of the venue, symbolized the Ministry’s deep commitment to maritime human resources. Capt. Tyagi remarked, “This is an exciting moment for the entire country and especially for the maritime community… the shipping and maritime industry is going through the ‘Amrit Kaal’.” He highlighted government-backed initiatives worth ₹70,000 crore as a transformative opportunity to propel India’s maritime growth, urging all stakeholders to harness these reforms collaboratively.
Mr Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, followed with a compelling presentation emphasizing that “everything rests on the safety and security of the human element—our seafarers.” He outlined India’s goal to raise its share in the global seafaring pool from 12% to 20% and identified four pillars—training quality, career progression, onboard opportunities, and welfare. He also spotlighted inclusivity and digitalisation, unveiling reforms such as a Learning Management System, global certification reforms, and initiatives like Sagar Mein Samaan to promote gender equality. With an unwavering stance against fraudulent placements, he reaffirmed that transparency and competency remain India’s guiding principles.
Mr Sunil Paliwal, Chairman of Kamarajar Port Ltd. and Chennai Port Authority, stressed that India’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 hinges not only on infrastructure but equally on human capital. He called for a modernised education system, closer industry-academia ties, and an unwavering focus on seafarer welfare to achieve India’s aspiration of joining the top 10 maritime nations by 2030.
The event also paid tribute to trailblazers in the industry. Among those felicitated were the nation’s first women achievers—Ms. Suniti Bala, Ms. Reshma Nilofer Visalakshi, Ms. Sonali Banerjee, and Ms. Parvathi Rajalakshmi—each representing a breakthrough in their respective maritime professions. A special felicitation was also given to Capt. J. C. Anand, Founder of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRClass), for his lifelong contributions to Indian shipping.
Delivering his keynote address, Dr. Mandaviya reflected on India’s rich maritime heritage and its enduring role in shaping global trade. He said, “The maritime sector is India’s golden heritage and the foundation of our future. As we move towards a developed India, we must draw inspiration from our rich maritime legacy to reclaim our rightful place as a global maritime leader.” Highlighting initiatives such as the Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, he envisioned a future where India’s traditional wisdom, youthful potential, and strategic coastline combine to drive shipbuilding, logistics, and employment. He concluded powerfully, stating, “The coming time is India’s time.”
Dr. Jose Matheickal of the IMO added an international perspective, emphasizing that human capital—not infrastructure—remains the true driver of maritime progress. He advocated for greater inclusion, early engagement of youth, and upskilling in green and digital technologies aligned with IMO’s sustainability agenda.
The day featured two engaging panel discussions. The first, moderated by Capt. M. P. Bhasin, focused on “Seafarers of the Future: Building a Modern Maritime Workforce.” Experts highlighted the urgency of bridging competency gaps amid new fuel technologies, AI integration, and digitalization. Speakers including Dr. Matthias Caton, Mr. Kaushik Seal, Mr. Sunil Nair, and Mr. Sushil Khopde called for continuous training, collaboration, and holistic skill development to align education with real-world needs.
The second discussion, moderated by Capt. Shiv Halbe, explored “Charting Tomorrow: Talent, Technology, and Transformation in Maritime Human Capital.” Esteemed panelists such as Capt. S. I. Abul Kalam Azad, Shri Minyoung Jeong, Shri P.K. Mishra, Shri Rajnish Khandelwal, Shri Krishnan Subramaniam, and Shri Omar Sheriff examined the evolving seafaring landscape, shore-based career pathways, and international cooperation in skill development. Their insights reinforced India’s growing reputation as a powerhouse of maritime talent, ready to shape the industry’s global transformation.
The seminar on Maritime Human Capital at IMW 2025 thus set the stage for India’s next era of maritime excellence—one powered by knowledge, inclusivity, and innovation, steering the nation confidently towards its Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Marex Media