India is well positioned to expand its share of the global maritime workforce as the shipping industry faces a shortage of qualified officers, according to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026.

India has an opportunity to significantly expand its share of the global maritime workforce as the shipping industry faces a growing shortage of qualified officers, according to the Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 released by BIMCO and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).

The report forecasts that the global merchant fleet will require an additional 1,13,735 STCW-certified officers by 2030, reflecting rising demand driven by fleet expansion, technological advancements and stricter regulatory requirements.

Global shipping industry faces growing talent gap

The report estimates that 2.57 million seafarers currently serve aboard 85,148 merchant ships worldwide. However, the industry already faces a shortage of 39,100 certified officers in 2026, even as there is a surplus of 56,890 ratings.

To meet projected demand, the global shipping industry will need to recruit an additional 22,747 officers and 8,475 ratings every year until 2030, representing annual growth of 2 per cent and 0.5 per cent, respectively.

India emerges as key supplier of seafarers

India, currently the world’s third-largest supplier of seafarers after the Philippines and China, accounts for nearly 16 per cent of the global maritime workforce. Industry experts believe the country is well placed to capitalise on the emerging demand.

India has the potential to significantly expand its presence in the global maritime workforce—not just in numbers, but in quality, reliability and global trust,” Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan** said.

He said India’s strategy extends beyond increasing training capacity and focuses on improving competency, strengthening training quality, modernising governance, promoting inclusion and adopting digital certification and sustainable practices.

India currently has 176 maritime training institutes, comprising 81 pre-sea institutes for new entrants and 95 post-sea institutes that provide advanced, simulator-based and competency training for serving seafarers, he said.

Training berths remain a key challenge

Malini V. Shankar, Vice-Chancellor of the Indian Maritime University, says Indian seafaring officers are highly respected. The number of institutions offering courses has increased. However, the critical bottleneck is the lack of adequate training berths. Without the requisite ‘sea time’, they cannot find regular jobs, she added.

The BIMCO-ICS report noted that demand for STCW-certified seafarers has increased 35 per cent since the previous survey in 2021. Demand for officers has risen 23.1 per cent, while demand for ratings has increased 46.3 per cent, reflecting the recovery of global shipping after the pandemic and continued fleet growth.

Industry seeks stronger talent pipeline

“The recruitment, training and retention of the seafarer workforce will be crucial to ensuring that our industry is prepared for the future,” said David Loosley, Secretary General and CEO of BIMCO.

ICS Secretary General Thomas A. Kazakos said attracting young people into maritime careers will be critical to building a sustainable talent pipeline for the industry’s long-term needs.

Indian seafarers gain global opportunities

Industry executives say India’s competitiveness has also been strengthened by stable wage levels, favourable exchange rates and growing international acceptance of Indian seafarers. According to Capt. Sanjay Prashar of VR Maritime Services Pvt Ltd, Indian seafarer employment reached 313,429 in 2025 and is expected to exceed 350,000 this year.

He attributed the rising demand for Indian crews to the growing number of certified officers, government support, and supply constraints in several competing labour markets, including China, Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia. He added that Indian officers increasingly occupy positions in global ship management companies, further boosting employment opportunities for Indian seafarers worldwide.

There should be regular interaction with ship owners and seafarers. DG Shipping is participating in global maritime events to understand the global demand. Even in policy making for seafarers at the Indian Maritime Organisation, the Indian delegation is seen leading by presenting papers. These are positive signs for the seafarers, he said.

Published on June 26, 2026