By Hemang Palan

Twitter @ hemang_palan

A senior voice of the Indian shipping industry and maritime stalwart, Mr Amar Singh Thakur recently met Mumbai Port Trust Chairman Mr Rajiv Jolata to discuss shore leave related problems faced by Indian seafarers.

Mr Amar Singh Thakur serves the All India Seafarers & General Workers Union as its General Secretary. The Union’s senior functionaries, Mr Abhijit Sangle and Mr Sanjay Pawar too were present in the meeting between Mr Amar Singh Thakur and Mr Rajiv Jalota.

“MLC 2006 empowers every seafarer to get shore leave at the ports. The importance of shore leave hence cannot be undermined,” said Mr Amar Singh Thakur.
​​​​​​​

Seafarers working without adequate shore leave are more vulnerable to mental exhaustion which gravely affects their work efficiency aboard the cargo ships. Confined spaces and monotonous routine of seafarers aboard cargo vessels leads to acute boredom. Living constantly under such circumstances often results in stress, depression, and home sickness. The mental health of seafarers is thus boosted through the shore leaves.

India’s leading shipping association, The Maritime Association of Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) too has endeavoured to address the shore leave problems faced by Indian seafarers in India through representations and deliberations with the Ministry of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India. MASSA Chairman Capt Girish Phadnis had a fruitful discussion pertaining to Indian seafarers’ shore leave problems with the Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways of India, Mr Shripad Naik during his recent visit to Mumbai.