**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2286, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways addressed the creation of employment opportunities in the maritime sector. As part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the government is focusing on island development as Maritime Cities in Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Gujarat, with themes including ecotourism, ship repair, maritime training, free trade zones, and bunkering terminals. This development is expected to generate over 50,000 direct and indirect jobs. The Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC) in Guwahati provides specialized training in maritime safety, inland vessel management, crew management, hospitality and safety. The upcoming Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) in Dibrugarh will offer training in advanced technologies like smart navigation systems, marine engineering, IT, and logistics, along with basic inland waterway courses. The estimated cost for setting up the RCoE in Dibrugarh through Government Budgetary Support (GBS) is Rs. 188 Crore, with a 19-month completion schedule. Both centers aim to provide opportunities for trainees from all over India, including the eight northeastern states.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The Indian government ministry responsible for ports, shipping, and waterways.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India, where the question was raised.
Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal: The Member of Parliament who raised the question about employment opportunities in the maritime sector.
Sarbananda Sonowal: The Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways who provided the answer to the question.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: An initiative of the Government of India focused on making India self-reliant.
Lakshadweep: A Union Territory of India, identified for island development as Maritime Cities.
Andaman Nicobar Islands: A Union Territory of India, identified for island development as Maritime Cities.
Gujarat: A State of India, identified for island development as Maritime Cities.
Maritime Skill Development Centre, Guwahati: A center providing specialized maritime training in Guwahati.
Regional Centre of Excellence, Dibrugarh: An upcoming center of excellence in Dibrugarh that will provide training in advanced technologies.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2286
ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN MARITIME SECTOR
2286. DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन एवं जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ालय
(a) whether the Government has any feasibility or impact assessment study for the
proposed scheme for creation of 50,000 employment opportunities in the Maritime
Sector;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) the details of the specific maritime skills that are likely to be imparted through
the Maritime Skill Development Centre in Guwahati and the upcoming Centres of
Excellence in Dibrugarh;
(d) the total financial outlay and sources of funding for setting up the Centre of
Excellence in Dibrugarh and the expected timeline for its completion; and
(e) the manner in which the Government is likely to ensure equal opportunities for
all eight north eastern States in the 50,000 maritime jobs proposed to be created?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) & (b) As part of Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, island development as Maritime
Cities is the focus area in coming years. The islands shortlisted for development
are in Union Territories of Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands and in the
State of Gujarat. The themes for development include eco-tourism facilities, ship
repair, sea plan building and repair, maritime training institute, free trade zones and
bunkering terminals. The envisaged development is expected to generate 50,000
plus direct and indirect employment on the islands.
(c) Maritime Skill Development Centre (MSDC), Guwahati is providing specialized
training in areas such as maritime safety, Inland vessel management i.e., General
Purpose Rating Course, Crew Management, Hospitality, Safety etc. The courses at
upcoming Regional Centre of Excellence (RCoE) at Dibrugarh include training inAdvanced Technologies like Smart navigation systems, Marine Engineering, IT, and
Logistics in addition to the basic inland waterway courses as per Rules.
(d) The total estimated cost for setting up RCoE in Dibrugrah through Government
Budgetary Support (GBS) is Rs.188 Crore and the project has a completion schedule
of 19 month.
(e) Both the Centers in north eastern region aim to provide opportunities for the
prospective trainees from all over the country including eight north eastern States.
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