By Capt Shiv Halbe

Movement of goods by sea has been recorded from Phoenician times. World has been besotted with turmoil and wars, but that has not stopped trade. In fact, we are now witnessing trade wars!

There is no more efficient method of transporting bulk goods, in vast quantities, across the globe than by sea! It's economical, environmentally friendly and importantly, it’s done seamlessly!

It’s estimated that total goods moved by sea in 2021 were about 11 billion tonnes (UNCTAD report), out of which about 2 Billion tonnes was Crude oil, 1 billion tonnes was iron ore (for making steel) and 350 million tonnes were grains! Given that more than 80 per cent of global trade by volume is by the sea route, no wonder that the former Secretary General of International Maritime Organisation, Mr. Efthimious Mitropolous said- If it were not for shipping, half the world will go hungry and the other half will freeze to death!

With shipping being ‘global’ in nature, it's quite common to have a Bahama flag ship, carrying grain from the USA to China, operated by a qualified crew from India and Philippines, technically managed by a company based in Hong Kong, and with the commercial risk being taken by a Swiss company! And the ship could very well be owned by a company listed on the London Stock exchange!

Given this scenario, it’s essential that the ship's staff (the crew) are top notch professionals, trained to exacting and consistent standards, who can execute the voyage to the satisfaction of all parties. No wonder, in the olden times, this was referred to as a maritime adventure!

Fortunately, the Govt of India has identified supply of seafarers as a vast employment opportunity and has taken steps to boost the numbers, with an ambitious target of 20% share of Global Seafarers by 2030. Already, over the past 5 years, India’s share of global seafarers has nearly doubled. Industry bodies, including MASSA, have stepped up to the plate to provide all the support required to achieve this ambitious target by setting up state of the art training Institutes, with latest simulators, to prepare and support our seafarers for the challenges. MASSA is also part of the Indian delegation to IMO, where the standards of Training and Certification of Seafarers are deliberated.

MASSA Academy in Navi Mumbai recently celebrated its silver jubilee and showcased its contribution to the growth of Indian seafarers! More than 50000 seafarers undertook various courses, more than 21000 trained on simulators, more than 10000 students attended Certificate of Competency courses, to name a few!

Celebration of National Maritime Day commenced on 5th April 1964, when tonnage under the Indian flag reached 1 million GRT. 5th April was the chosen date, as it marked the sailing of SS Loyalty from Bombay to London, against all odds!

Let us hope that the stage set by our ancestors in Maritime Industry is used to the fullest for growth of the Indian Maritime sector.

(The author of this article is the CEO of India’s leading shipping association, The Maritime Association of Shipowners Shipmanagers and Agents – MASSA)