Record Number of Indian Seafarers Employed

The number of Indian seafarers employed globally has exceeded 150,000 for the first time according to India’s maritime administration, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS).

The Hindu Business Line says the numbers counter suggestions that the popularity of Indian seafarers is waning among ship managers.

At the end of 2017, India had 154,349 seafarers employed on merchant ships, compared to 143,940 in 2016, 126,945 in 2015 and 117,090 in 2014, according to the DGS.

Of the 154,349 seafarers, 71,177 are officers while 83,172 are ratings or general-purpose staff accounting for 97,937 jobs on the nautical side and 56,412 on the engineering side.

India has around 130 maritime training colleges. Over 5,000 graduating cadets are not employed, because they have not been able to complete the mandatory onboard ship training.

According to the International Chamber of Shipping, the worldwide population of seafarers serving on internationally trading merchant ships is estimated at 1,647,500 seafarers, of which 774,000 are officers and 873,500 are ratings.

China, the Philippines, Indonesia, the Russian Federation and Ukraine are estimated to be the five largest supply countries for all seafarers (officers and ratings). The Philippines is the biggest supplier of ratings, followed by China, Indonesia, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. China is the biggest supplier of officers, followed by the Philippines, India, Indonesia and the Russian Federation.