SUMMIT OUTCOMES & ACTION POINTS

Executive Summary
1. The general public no longer perceives Maritime as merely ships, but as a vital global supply-chain in ordinary times, and even more so in difficult times
2. The Global Maritime industry is faced with addressing and acting on Global warming, transiting to a net zero world of emissions, automation, digitalization, artificial intelligence, green technologies, and UN’s Sustainability Goals
3. Whatever steps in the above regard finally evolve and are adopted, the people who will execute these changes, are the world’s seafarers
4. India has a major role to play in transitioning safely and successfully to Maritime 2050

The Current Maritime Environment
• The shipping industry is undergoing significant transformation driven by automation, digitalization, artificial intelligence, green technologies, and UN’s Sustainability Goals
• While the burgeoning shortfall in the supply of merchant navy officers raises fears of manpower cost inflation, it also presents an opportunity for the youth who aspire to join the maritime workforce

The Pressing Needs
• It is estimated that approximately 850,000 seafarers worldwide will require new skills to make a successful transition to 2050
• Future Skills and Competency will need soft skills in leadership & management and bridging programmes that complement the IMO based education of seafarers
• Mental wellbeing of seafarers is as crucial as their physical wellbeing, and medical pre-boarding standards must be made more specific in order to apply them uniformly, properly and consistently
• Fatigue of seafarers, reduced manning, short stays in port, the multitude of regulations, a plethora of inspection regimes – all such factors lead to increased stress for seafarers, which must be considered when preparing for future changes

The Work So Far
• Global cooperation among the ITF, the ICS and IMEC is in place to tackle upcoming challenges in the industry jointly. An MOU has been signed to work on crew Training, crew Welfare and work on UN Just Transition goals. This is, and will be, a game changer in facing the future challenges in the Industry
• ITF, ICS, and IMEC, along with the leading voices and stakeholders of the Industry are working together to ensure that the transition to 2050 is safe, and the seafarers’ role to meet the requirements is well thought of, and executed

The Action Points
• COLLABORATION and the COMBINED WILL of the Industry Stakeholders, Regulators, Policy Makers, Training Institutions, Academia, and Insurers, will provide all that the ‘Frontline’ seafarers, who are at the centre of it all, need to make a successful transition to 2050
• With the Challenges coming from Decarbonization and Digitalization, only technical development is not enough. The entire industry must be involved in developing the human resource and maritime operations management
• To attract more good quality recruits to shipping, the seafaring career must be projected beyond the seagoing segment, that which leads to multifarious opportunities within and without the industry
• Maritime Transportation must be promoted as part of the education curriculum at school levels, so that students are well exposed at an early stage to the world of sea transport and the careers therein

India Convergence
• With nearly 300,000 well trained seafarers, constituting almost 12% of the global seagoing workforce, and a roundly developed maritime training arena constituting over 160 training centres, this is an opportunity for India to emerge as a leading force in global seafarer supply
• India has a responsibility to keep recruiting young men & women for the industry because their economy is booming, and this will help in managing the expectations of the large numbers of Indian youth
• During the Covid Pandemic India was a shining example on how to bring all stakeholders together, including the Government of India, the Directorate General of Shipping & Ministry of Foreign affairs in particular, to adequately address the crisis of crew changes
• Indian Leadership in Seafarer training must take the front seat by extending support to countries that lack competent trainers
• India has the ability to position itself as a key contributor to the evolving shipping landscape while aligning with the technology changes necessitated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs)
• India has emerged as a global leader in supplying the most competent seafarers. It is important now that India considers a more active role in shaping the future of not only Indian Seafarers, but also that of the rest of the world
• This can be achieved by developing standardized training frameworks, promoting lifelong learning, and fostering partnerships.
• India can establish herself as a global hub for skilled seafarers as well as shore professionals to meet the demands of an evolving industry
• With the cruise sector poised to take off in a major way in India, the growing career opportunities need to be vigorously developed and pursued