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Modi govt targets shipping sector to solve some of its job creation problems

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The idea is to bring all the recruiting companies and training institutes on one platform.

New Delhi: The Modi government is planning to hire around 3.5 lakh seafarers in the next three to five years, a move aimed at promoting shipping industry jobs as an attractive career option.

As a first step, the government will launch what is called an “e-governance” portal to bring all the recruiting companies and training institutes on one platform.

“There is a severe disconnect between training institutes, shipping companies and regulating agencies,” minister of state for shipping Mansukh Mandaviya told ThePrint.

“Every agency is operating in silos leading to the shortage in supply of manpower,” he added.


Also read: India’s growth fastest among big economies but it is yet to make a mark on job market


According to the minister, at present there are about 1.5 lakh Indian seafarers and the government plans to take the figure up to 5 lakh in the next three to five years.

The online platform, which is yet to be named, will connect the “entire shipping eco-system to boost the supply of quality manpower to the global shipping industry by streamlining the hiring and training process,” Mandaviya said.

At least 13 stakeholders such as training institutes, regional shipping offices, directorate general of shipping, shipping master office, mercantile marine department, seamen’s employment office, seamen’s provident fund organisation, among others will be brought on the common online platform.

The ‘e-governance’ portal and how it will help

The ‘Manpower Report’, published by the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) in 2016, had forecast a serious shortage in the supply of seafarers globally by 2015.

The report predicted a shortfall of about 16,500 officers while highlighting the need for an additional 1,47,500 people by 2025 for smooth operation of the merchant fleet.

Calling it a wake-up call, Mandaviya stressed the need for “doubling efforts in promoting shipping as an attractive career option for young people”.

“No one has ever counted shipping industry in terms of its contribution to the job market. There is a severe disconnect between training institutes, shipping firms and government’s regulation agencies,” he maintained.

According to the ministry estimates, more than 5,000 cadets who have passed out of maritime training institutes are still unemployed as they have not been able to complete the mandatory on-board ship training.

“Such instances would be dealt with promptly and accountability of stakeholders would increase manifold resulting in faster and transparent hiring,” the minister said.

Shipping companies will put out their hiring requirements on the portal, likely to be operational by October, which would be addressed by the trainers and recruitment agencies.


Also read: Modi govt set to offer professional diplomas with bachelor degrees to create 10 lakh jobs


India has some 134 maritime training institutes, of which 81 are conducting pre-sea courses for trainee officers and the rest are post-sea training institutes, which offer specialised programmes in both nautical and engineering streams.

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