India has achieved a major milestone in the global maritime sector by becoming the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers, according to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026. The country now contributes 311,936 maritime professionals to the international shipping industry, accounting for 12.16% of the global seafaring workforce.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted that India’s position has improved significantly over the past decade. The country, which ranked fifth globally in 2015 with a 5.2% share of the global seafarer workforce, has moved ahead through continued investments in maritime education, skill development, and policy improvements.
India currently stands behind only the Philippines in global seafarer supply while ranking ahead of countries such as China, the Russian Federation, and Indonesia. The nation has also strengthened its presence among maritime officers, providing 140,718 officers worldwide, representing 13.41% of the global officer workforce.
In addition, India supplies 171,218 ratings who serve aboard merchant vessels, making up 11.29% of the global ratings workforce. The report estimates that the worldwide supply of seafarers stands at approximately 2.57 million, compared with a demand of 2.55 million, highlighting the continued importance of skilled maritime professionals.
The growth of India’s maritime workforce has been supported by government initiatives aimed at improving training facilities, upgrading maritime education systems, expanding digital certification services, and aligning industry practices with international standards. These measures have helped create a stronger ecosystem for maritime careers and improved opportunities for Indian professionals.
Recent legislative reforms, including the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, Indian Ports Act, 2025, and Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, have further strengthened regulations, enhanced seafarer welfare, and improved operational efficiency within the maritime sector.
Building on this progress, the government has introduced Mission 20%, an ambitious initiative designed to increase India’s share of the global seafaring workforce from 12.16% to 20%. The target aims to ensure that one out of every five seafarers globally is from India.
The initiative will focus on expanding maritime training infrastructure, strengthening partnerships between educational institutions and the shipping industry, and creating more opportunities for women in maritime professions. These efforts are expected to support India’s vision of becoming a leading global maritime talent hub.
The expansion aligns with the goals of Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which aim to position India as a stronger force in global shipping, enhance maritime capabilities, and create sustainable growth opportunities across the sector.
