The event to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Directorate General of Shipping
The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, marked its 75th anniversary on Monday (August 25, 2025) by hosting a Knowledge Sharing Conference in Mumbai.
The event brought together senior government officials, global maritime experts, policymakers, industry leaders, and academicians to deliberate on the future of India’s maritime training, safety, and sustainability under the theme “India Navigating Through T³: Training, Transition, Transformation.”
Dr. Malini V. Shankar, Vice Chancellor of the Indian Maritime University, stressed the growing importance of maritime education in shaping a future-ready workforce. She also talked about the inclusion of more women seafarers. STCW (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Nautical and Engineering Reports along with the Comprehensive Inspection Programme (CIP) Report 2025 were launched at the event. The reports outline a roadmap to enhance training standards, competency frameworks, and ship inspection systems while ensuring alignment with global benchmarks.
Speaking at the event, Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping called for an innovation-driven approach to secure India’s leadership in the global maritime sector. “India’s seafarers are among the finest in the world, and our responsibility is to provide them with world-class training, technology, and resilience,” he said, highlighting the government’s focus on digital transformation and sustainability in maritime operations.
Speaking to The Hindu regarding seafarer certification and competency validation, Mr. Jagannathan clarified that foreign-issued competencies will continue to be recognised, but only after being validated by DG Shipping, to ensure transparency and maintain global credibility. “There has been a misconception that we are preventing seafarers with foreign competencies from pursuing their careers. That is incorrect. All they need to do is submit their competencies to us, and we validate them within a stipulated timeframe. This process protects Indian seafarers and safeguards against fraudulent certifications,” he explained.
Mr. Jagannathan further revealed that DG Shipping has barred unaccredited institutions from issuing certifications and placed strict controls to prevent misuse. “New institutions cannot issue competencies unless they are accredited by DG Shipping and meet global training standards,” he said, adding that the move is aimed at improving quality and ensuring trust in India’s maritime training ecosystem.
Highlighting the role of technology, he announced the rollout of a Learning Management System (LMS) to digitize and standardize maritime training across India. The LMS will enable uniform classroom modules, faculty development, and seamless upgrades in line with evolving international regulations. “Technology is ever-changing, and our goal is to create a scalable, upgradable, and globally compliant learning ecosystem,” he said.
On climate challenges, Mr. Jagannathan said India’s commitment to a Just Transition in maritime operations, stressing the need for resilience amid rising environmental risks. “With over 11,000 km of coastline, India’s geo-strategic location makes it critical for us to prepare our seafarers for a future shaped by sustainability and climate adaptation. Green shipping policy and renewal energy adoption are way towards that,” he said.
Published – August 26, 2025 03:02 am IST
