Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal today said that the seafarers remain at the heart of India’s maritime growth story and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that every seafarer is safe, respected and supported. Speaking at a national stakeholder interaction on ‘Seafarer Security, Safety & Welfare’ in Mumbai, Sonowal said India has emerged as one of the world’s leading seafaring nations.
On the occasion, E-Samudra, a comprehensive digital maritime governance platform, was also inaugurated. The platform aims to provide seamless, transparent and citizen-centric services to seafarers, shipping companies, ports, service providers and other maritime stakeholders.
Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, said India’s maritime policy is guided by a modern legal framework, a long-term maritime vision and digital-first governance. He noted that India’s active seafarer workforce has grown from around 1.03 lakh in 2013 to over 3.23 lakh in 2025, making India the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers.
Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Shipping, described E-Samudra as a transformational platform that would redefine maritime governance in India. He said the initiative marks a shift towards digital-first and faceless governance, enabling seafarers onboard vessels to access government services as easily as those on shore.
The event brought together representatives of the maritime industry, seafarer organisations, recruitment and placement agencies, maritime training institutes, shipowners, government agencies and maritime professionals from across the country.
