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India has emerged as the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, marking a significant milestone for the country's maritime sector. According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India now contributes 311,936 seafarers, accounting for 12.16% of the global maritime workforce. The country ranks behind only the Philippines, overtaking China, Russia and Indonesia.
The achievement reflects India's rapid progress in developing skilled maritime professionals over the past decade. In 2015, India accounted for just 5.2% of the global seafaring workforce and ranked fifth worldwide. Although its share increased to 6% by 2021, the country remained in fifth position. The latest report highlights a sharp rise in both numbers and global ranking, underscoring the impact of sustained investments in maritime education, training and employment.
India's contribution is particularly strong in the officer segment. The country supplies 140,718 officers, representing 13.41% of the global officer workforce, while 171,218 ratings account for 11.29% of the world's ratings serving on merchant vessels. The report estimates the global seafaring workforce at 2.57 million, against a demand of 2.55 million, highlighting a tightening labour market and an ongoing shortage of qualified officers.
Following the report, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced the government's Mission 20% initiative, which aims to increase India's share of the global seafaring workforce from 12.16% to 20%. The initiative focuses on expanding maritime training capacity, strengthening shipboard training opportunities, promoting industry-academia collaboration, leveraging digital technologies and encouraging greater participation of women in maritime careers.
India's rise as a leading supplier of maritime professionals is expected to further strengthen its position in the global shipping industry while supporting the growing demand for skilled seafarers worldwide.
Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates
India has emerged as the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, marking a significant milestone for the country's maritime sector. According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India now contributes 311,936 seafarers, accounting for 12.16% of the global maritime workforce. The country ranks behind only the Philippines, overtaking China, Russia and Indonesia. The achievement reflects India's rapid progress in developing skilled maritime professionals over the past decade. In 2015, India accounted for just 5.2% of the global seafaring workforce and ranked fifth worldwide. Although its share increased to 6% by 2021, the country remained in fifth position. The latest report highlights a sharp rise in both numbers and global ranking, underscoring the impact of sustained investments in maritime education, training and employment. India's contribution is particularly strong in the officer segment. The country supplies 140,718 officers, representing 13.41% of the global officer workforce, while 171,218 ratings account for 11.29% of the world's ratings serving on merchant vessels. The report estimates the global seafaring workforce at 2.57 million, against a demand of 2.55 million, highlighting a tightening labour market and an ongoing shortage of qualified officers. Following the report, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced the government's Mission 20% initiative, which aims to increase India's share of the global seafaring workforce from 12.16% to 20%. The initiative focuses on expanding maritime training capacity, strengthening shipboard training opportunities, promoting industry-academia collaboration, leveraging digital technologies and encouraging greater participation of women in maritime careers. India's rise as a leading supplier of maritime professionals is expected to further strengthen its position in the global shipping industry while supporting the growing demand for skilled seafarers worldwide. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates
Kamarajar Port has strengthened its position as a leading automotive export gateway on India's eastern coast by signing a long-term agreement with Isuzu Motors India for the export of passenger and commercial vehicles. The five-year partnership is expected to enhance vehicle export volumes, improve logistics efficiency, and further reinforce the port's role in supporting India's growing automobile exports. Under the agreement, Isuzu Motors India will utilise Kamarajar Port as a key export hub for its made-in-India vehicles, including the popular D-MAX pick-up range and S-CAB models. The arrangement reflects the automaker's continued focus on expanding its international footprint by leveraging India's manufacturing capabilities and world-class port infrastructure. The collaboration comes at a time when India's automotive exports are witnessing steady momentum, driven by rising global demand and increasing localisation of manufacturing. Kamarajar Port's specialised automobile handling facilities, modern roll-on/roll-off (Ro-Ro) infrastructure, and strategic connectivity make it an ideal gateway for vehicle exports to markets across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and other international destinations. Port officials stated that the agreement underscores Kamarajar Port's commitment to providing reliable, efficient and cost-effective logistics solutions for the automotive industry. The partnership is also expected to contribute significantly to the port's cargo diversification strategy while strengthening long-term relationships with leading automobile manufacturers operating in India. For Isuzu Motors India, the agreement provides a stable and efficient export logistics framework that supports its long-term business strategy. The company has consistently expanded exports from its manufacturing facility in Sri City, Andhra Pradesh, supplying vehicles to multiple overseas markets. A dedicated export arrangement with Kamarajar Port is expected to streamline supply chain operations, reduce turnaround time, and improve overall shipment reliability. Industry observers believe the partnership highlights the growing importance of integrated port infrastructure in enabling India's ambitions to become a global manufacturing and export hub. As vehicle exports continue to rise, ports equipped with dedicated automobile logistics facilities are playing an increasingly vital role in supporting just-in-time supply chains and enhancing competitiveness in international markets. The agreement is also expected to generate higher cargo throughput for Kamarajar Port while encouraging greater utilisation of its Ro-Ro capabilities. With the automotive sector remaining one of the key contributors to India's export growth, collaborations between ports and vehicle manufacturers are likely to become increasingly significant in building resilient, efficient and sustainable supply chains. Hence, the long-term alliance between Kamarajar Port and Isuzu Motors India represents another important milestone in strengthening India's automotive export ecosystem, reinforcing the country's reputation as a reliable manufacturing base and a preferred sourcing destination for global automobile markets. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Kerala’s Vizhinjam International Seaport is set to commence full export-import (EXIM) operations from August 18. The transition marks the port’s evolution from a dedicated transshipment hub into a comprehensive international cargo gateway capable of handling both transshipment and gateway cargo, strengthening India’s position in global shipping and supply chains. Since commercial operations began, Vizhinjam has primarily focused on transshipment cargo, enabling containers to be transferred between mother vessels and feeder services. The introduction of full EXIM operations will now allow exporters and importers to move cargo directly through the port, reducing dependence on overseas hubs such as Colombo, Singapore and Dubai for gateway shipments. This is expected to improve transit efficiency, lower logistics costs and shorten cargo movement timelines for businesses across southern India. The commencement of EXIM services is expected to provide a major boost to Kerala’s export ecosystem, while also benefiting neighbouring manufacturing and industrial centres. Direct handling of import and export cargo is likely to enhance supply chain reliability, create new business opportunities for logistics service providers, freight forwarders, customs brokers and transport operators, and improve multimodal connectivity in the region. Developed under a public-private partnership between the Government of Kerala and Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), Vizhinjam is India’s first dedicated deep-water transshipment port. Its strategic location, just a short distance from one of the world’s busiest east-west international shipping routes, enables ultra-large container vessels to berth without significant deviation from their sailing path. The port’s natural deep draft and modern automated infrastructure further strengthen its competitiveness as a global maritime gateway. The launch of full EXIM operations will coincide with the state government’s ‘Mission Samudra’ initiative, aimed at attracting investments across shipping, logistics, warehousing, port-led industries and allied infrastructure. Industry stakeholders expect the initiative to accelerate industrial growth, generate employment and reinforce Kerala’s role as an emerging logistics hub on India’s western coast. For India’s logistics sector, the development represents another step towards enhancing domestic port infrastructure, reducing cargo diversion to foreign ports and strengthening the country’s ambition of becoming a leading maritime and global supply chain hub. As gateway cargo operations commence, Vizhinjam is expected to play a pivotal role in improving trade competitiveness and supporting India’s long-term vision of expanding its maritime economy. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
