Formation of Consultative Group for Enhancing Indian Maritime Sector – reg.

भारतसरकार/ GOVERNMENT OF INDIA प(cid:517)न, पोतप(cid:303)रवहनऔरजलमाग(cid:330)मं(cid:361)ालय MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS नौवहनमहािनदेशालय, मुंबई DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI F. No. 23-CIR/2/2024-CREW - DGS (C. No. 29501) Date: 28.06.2024 DGS ORDER NO. 11 OF 2024

Subject: Formation of Consultative Group for Enhancing Indian Maritime Sector – reg.

As you are aware, the Directorate General of Shipping, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, is dedicated to the welfare of seafarers. It is responsible for implementing shipping policies and legislation to ensure the safety of life and vessels at sea, prevent marine pollution, promote maritime education and training in coordination with the International Maritime Organization, regulate the employment and welfare of seamen, develop coastal shipping, increase shipping tonnage, and oversee the examination and certification of Merchant Navy Officers. Additionally, it supervises and controls its allied offices within its administrative jurisdiction.

2. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, with the objective of propelling India to the forefront of the global maritime sector, has formulated Maritime India Vision 2030 (MIV

2030). This strategic blueprint aims to ensure coordinated and accelerated growth of India’s maritime sector over the next decade. The goals include enhancing the capacity and efficiency of ports, advancing shipbuilding, recycling, and repair industries, increasing the Indian-flagged fleet, boosting maritime education to increase the number of Indian seafarers, and fostering the growth of emerging sectors such as cruise tourism.

3. As we are also aware, India is currently among the top five suppliers of seafarers in the global maritime sector, contributing approximately 12% of the world's seafarer workforce.

4. Despite the focus on enhancing the capacity and efficiency of ports, advancing shipbuilding, recycling, and repair industries, increasing the Indian-flagged fleet, boosting maritime education to increase the number of Indian seafarers, and fostering the growth of emerging sectors such as cruise tourism, there are still challenges that need to be addressed effectively.

5. To tackle these issues, the Directorate is in the process of constituting a Joint Working Group. This group will include officials from the Directorate and its allied offices, as well as experts from various domains within the Indian maritime sector. The collaboration aims to leverage diverse expertise to develop comprehensive solutions and ensure the continued growth and competitiveness of India's maritime industry.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________6. In this connection, it is submitted that the Directorate has prepared a Google Form requesting the stakeholders to submit their names and details of their domain expertise through this form. Your insights and expertise will be crucial for the Directorate to effectively address the issues and challenges within the Indian Maritime Sector and will enable the Directorate to take requisite measures or steps to strengthen the Indian maritime sector. The link for the Google

Form is as follows: https://forms.gle/M4gBg8Au2As6uQ3a8

7. The Consultative Group may have regular online/offline discussions based on the following domain areas of engagement for mercantile marine with the lead officials of the

Directorate of the respective area: i. Marine Insurance (Including PNI) ii. Maritime law, arbitration, and legal affairs, iii. Crew affairs (RPSL, MLC, 2016 Related), iv. Wellness Module. v. Gender diversity and equity vi. Growth of Indian seafarers vii. Employment in Cruise Industry viii. Training Standards (STCW).

ix. Naval Architect (Ship Building and Repairs) x. Nautical (Navigation, Cargo, Safety matters). xi. Safety Video, animated xii. Engineering (Green Shipping, Alternate Fuels etc) xiii. Shipping Development.

xiv. IT & E-Governance. xv. Any other topic

8. In case of any queries, please write to crews-dgs@nic.in;

9. This is issued with the approval of the Director General of Shipping, Mumbai. (Capt. Manish Kumar) Nautical Surveyor – cum – Deputy Director General of Shipping manish.kumar-dgs@gov.in;

To, i. Associations/Unions/Professional bodies ii. RPSL or Shipping Companies. iii. Govt. Shipping Office (Mumbai/Chennai/Kolkata) iv. Mercantile Marine Departments. v. All stakeholders. vi. Computer for uploading on the DGS Website.