The Hindu Business Line : `Proper maritime training must for Indian seafarers'

China has seven maritime universities and 10 colleges, whereas India does not even have one, said Capt Subhash Kumar, Deputy Chairman of the Cochin Port Trust.

Kochi , April 6

, Speakers at the National Maritime Day celebrations have stressed the need for proper maritime education and training for Indian seafarers considering the growing opportunities in the global maritime sector.

Inaugurating the 43rd National Maritime Day Celebrations and Merchant Navy Flag Day here recently, Capt Subhash Kumar, Deputy Chairman of the Cochin Port Trust, said the global demand for well qualified officers is growing and the chances of getting a job depends on additional qualification. Good quality training and education is possible only if the faculty is well trained and the institutes have the latest equipment and infrastructure to train the mariners.

Mr Kumar said over 3,000 Indian officers are earning accolades for their work in the shipping business, bringing in foreign exchange worth more than $20 million every year to the country. Therefore, quality training and consistent track record can result in world-class maritime services at a cost-effective price commensurate with the local environment, he said.

He also stressed the need for a National Maritime Authority of India with wide powers to control and co-ordinate maritime activities.

He said the importance of education in the maritime sector has not been sufficiently realised or emphasised in the country.

China has seven maritime universities and 10 colleges, whereas India does not even have one, said Mr Kumar.

Captain G. K. George of Master Mariners, Kochi chapter, said the STCW convention had answered the need for training as far as the floating staff and shipboard operations are concerned. The areas that are lacking are ship husbandry, ship management and HRD. A benchmark has to be established and a standard formulated, he said.

Mr K. A. Simon, Principal, Euro Tech Maritime Academy, said privatisation of maritime education and training, quality certification of maritime institutes by accredited bodies, introduction of psychometric tests and outsourcing of the conduct of examination of seafarers are the latest trends in maritime training in the country.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Shipping has taken a policy decision that the Officer of the Watch Ship Manoeuvring Simulator (DOW-SMS) training will be mandatory for all pre-sea training institutes for nautical and polyvalent cadets effective from July 1.