Pratik Bijlani –
In an industry where conversations often revolve around ships, regulations and technology, the Maritime Union of India (MUI) turned the spotlight towards the people who remain at the heart of global shipping. Bringing together HR professionals, shipowners, crewing managers and maritime executives at MUI HR Connect 2026, held at MSC House, Mumbai, on 26 June, the Union created a platform for meaningful dialogue on the evolving role of human resource management in the maritime sector. Discussions ranged from talent acquisition and crew retention to leadership development, digital transformation, employee wellbeing and the future of maritime workforce management, underscoring the industry’s growing recognition that investing in people is essential to building a resilient and future-ready shipping sector.
Welcoming participants, Dr. Deepti Mankad, Head of the MUI Women’s Wing, encouraged HR professionals to make the session an open exchange of ideas and questions. Explaining that the programme had been designed to familiarise stakeholders with the Union’s membership process, welfare schemes and support services, she emphasised that awareness was just as important as access. As she observed, “Our objective is to ensure that every seafarer understands the value of MUI membership, its welfare schemes and benefits. Through open interaction and dialogue, we hope to build a stronger, more informed and united maritime fraternity.” Participants were encouraged to seek clarity on membership, renewals, entitlements and welfare initiatives, reinforcing the Union’s commitment to transparency and engagement.
Established in 1939, the Maritime Union of India has grown into one of the country’s oldest and most influential representative bodies for Merchant Navy officers. Affiliated with the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and the Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), MUI has spent more than eight decades negotiating collective bargaining agreements, protecting the rights of Indian seafarers and providing legal guidance, welfare assistance, medical support and professional development opportunities. Today, its role extends well beyond industrial representation, encompassing mental wellbeing, financial assistance, training, emergency support and advocacy both within India and internationally.
Leading the interactive session, Capt. Savio Ramos, General Secretary of MUI, reflected on that legacy while highlighting the Union’s continued evolution to meet the changing needs of Indian seafarers. Speaking directly to HR professionals, he urged them to become ambassadors for the Union by ensuring that officers joining their organisations are aware of the support available to them throughout their careers. Stressing that the Union’s purpose extends beyond providing benefits, he remarked, “For over eight decades, the Maritime Union of India has stood by seafarers in their moments of need. Membership is not merely about benefits—it is about belonging to a fraternity that protects, supports and stands with every seafarer and their family through every challenge.”
Capt. Ramos explained that although membership has remained voluntary following regulatory changes, MUI has continued expanding its welfare initiatives without increasing membership fees since 2018. Members today have access to medical assistance, dental and maternity benefits, legal support, Certificate of Competency protection, taxation guidance and a nationwide network of affordable convalescent homes where seafarers and their families can recuperate between voyages.
Drawing on recent maritime incidents, he also highlighted the Union’s response during periods of crisis, recalling instances where MUI provided financial assistance to families affected by casualties arising from geopolitical conflicts, extended support to officers facing legal challenges overseas, and helped seafarers navigate documentation and official procedures during difficult circumstances. These examples, he noted, reflected the Union’s unwavering commitment to standing by seafarers whenever they needed assistance, irrespective of their membership status.
The discussions also explored broader HR challenges, including recruitment, leadership development, digitalisation, regulatory compliance and employee wellbeing, while encouraging greater collaboration across the maritime fraternity. Concluding the programme, Ms. Payal Bhalla thanked the participants, as MUI HR Connect 2026 reinforced the importance of partnership and collective action in advancing seafarer welfare.
Marex Media