Indian Economy News

India Emerges as World's Second-Largest Supplier of Seafarers

India has emerged as the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, contributing 311,936 maritime professionals to the global shipping industry, according to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted that India now accounts for 12.16% of the global seafaring workforce, ranking behind only the Philippines and ahead of China, the Russian Federation and Indonesia. The country's global standing has improved significantly from fifth place in 2015, when it accounted for 5.2% of the global workforce, reflecting sustained growth in maritime education, training and policy reforms. India has also emerged as a leading source of maritime officers, supplying 140,718 officers, representing 13.41% of the world's officer workforce, while 171,218 ratings account for 11.29% of the global ratings serving aboard merchant vessels. The report estimates the global supply of seafarers at 2.57 million, compared with a demand of 2.55 million, underscoring the growing need for skilled maritime professionals.

The achievement reflects the Government's continued efforts to strengthen India's maritime ecosystem through expanded training capacity, modernised maritime education, digitised certification services, enhanced compliance with international standards and comprehensive legislative reforms. Recent enactments, including the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, Indian Ports Act, 2025, Coastal Shipping Act, 2025 and other maritime legislations, have strengthened governance, improved seafarer welfare and enhanced ease of doing business across the sector. Building on this momentum, the Government has launched Mission 20%, which aims to increase India's share of the global seafaring workforce from 12.16% to 20%, ensuring that one in every five seafarers worldwide is an Indian. Supported by expanding maritime training infrastructure, stronger industry-academia collaboration and greater opportunities for women, the initiative is expected to reinforce India's position as a global maritime talent hub while advancing the objectives of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.