India's former foreign secretary, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, recently spoke about a major rise in the number of global seafarers from India during the ninth convocation of the Indian Maritime University (IMU) in Chennai.

Shringla said that the number of women seafarers in India has grown a lot, going from 1,699 in 2014 to 10,440 in 2023. This is a remarkable increase of 514%. It shows that India is getting stronger in the maritime sector, especially when it comes to giving more chances for women to work in this field.

What is India’s role in the global maritime workforce?

India is currently the third-largest provider of seafarers globally, following China and the Philippines. According to data from the Directorate General of Shipping, Indian seafarers make up around 10% of the global maritime workforce. Shringla pointed out that the total number of Indian seafarers has increased from 117,090 in 2014 to nearly 300,000 today. This sharp rise indicates the country's expanding role in international maritime trade and sailing.

global seafarers
Image Source: Indian Maritime University

The Indian Maritime University (IMU), which is an important school for teaching about the sea and shipping, held a graduation ceremony. At the event, 1,974 students finished their studies, including four students who earned their PhDs and one who earned an MS (by research). Dr. Malini V Shankar, the head of the university, led the ceremony and gave the degrees to the students.

Shringla discussed India's extensive history as a maritime nation. He explained that, many years ago, Indian traders traveled by sea and shared Indian culture, language, and spiritual beliefs with people in Southeast and East Asia. He said that by bringing back this old tradition of seafaring, India is once again becoming important in the world of maritime trade.

Impact of conflicts on maritime trade

During his address, Shringla touched on the importance of a stable maritime economy. He referenced the impact of global conflicts on shipping routes, particularly how the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks in Israel led to disturbances in the Suez Canal. Houthi rebels in West Asia began harassing merchant vessels, leading to a 50% drop in cargo passing through the canal as well as an increase in shipping costs by 15-20%.

Exports to Europe from India were also affected, with a 21% decline noted. Shringla concluded by underlining the interconnected nature of the global economy, where conflicts in one part of the world can deeply affect maritime nations like India.

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