Prisilla Nadar

The shipping industry had faced very tough times in 2 years due to COVID pandemic. The major challenge was crew change. Because of the unprecedented rise in Covid cases around the globe, the seafarers were trapped onboard the ships and were unable to sign in and sign off.

Several people from Indian Shipping industry came together and worked round the clock to help those seafarers stuck onboard. Such personalities were honoured by The Foreign Ship-owners Representatives and Ship Managers Association (FOSMA) at their AGM followed by Cocktails and Dinner party held at Taj SantaCruz on 19th April. “This is to recognize the people who contributed towards Indian Shipping during difficult time,” said Capt Sankalp Shukla, Chairman FOSMA.

Capt Prashant S Rangnekar, COO- India Operations, Elegant Marine Services; Capt Kisan Karnad, General Manager, Wilhelmsen Ship Management; the entire ATPI Team, Capt Shiv Halbe, CEO, MASSA and Mr and Mrs Rustom R Cassinath, General Manager, FOSMA were honored during the event.

Capt Karnad expressed his happiness and stated that he is privileged to receive this honor from FOSMA. “MASSA and FOSMA worked together in last 3 years like never before,” said Capt Rangnekar. Capt AS Khuman, Chairman ATPI India opined, “All the work was done together, and each one of us actually helped each other.” Capt Halbe and Mr Cassinath were overwhelmed to receive a recognition for all the selfless and sleepless nights.

Mr Abdulgani Serang, General Secretary – cum – Treasurer at National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) whose union has done a remarkable job of bringing the seafarers back to India during the crises said, “The Indian shipping industry is fortunate to have such a collaboration, no other industry can think about it.” During the crises the world followed India’s techniques to get their seafarers back to land; adding to it, Capt Shukla said, “We have become the example to the world for what India can do.”

Marex Media