Industry News

India to approach IMO to mandate seafarers` training

Mumbai | March 29, 2007

Facing acute shortage of trained seafarers, India plans to approach United Nations' body, International Maritime Organisation, to make it mandatory for every ship to accommodate at least one trainee.

"Every ship should have at least one berth for trainees.. Indian National Shipowners' Association has already been mandated to adopt this practise. We will also take up the issue with the IMO so that this becomes an international practise," Director-General of Shipping Kiran Dhingra told reporters.

There are about 48,500 cargo ships sailing globally and if IMO approves the proposal, as many as 48,000 maritime students could get on-the-job training, she said.

The issue assumes significance as many training institutes give only theoretical training.

"Just as an MBBS degree is useless without internship for doctors, seafarers without practical training are of no use," Dhingra said.

Practical training is necessary for seafarers to receive the certification, she pointed out.

Recently, DG Shipping issued a notification instructing institutes to tie-up with shipping companies to provide sea-time training to students.

The notification was issued after DG Shipping, in December 2006, asked institutes to sign MoUs with shipping companies, which they termed as "draconian".

Bureau Report