India Becomes World's Second-Largest Supplier of Seafarers

India has risen to become the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, contributing 311,936 maritime professionals to the global shipping industry. According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India's share of the global workforce reached 12.16%, a significant increase from its 5.2% share and fifth-place ranking in 2015. This workforce comprises 140,718 officers, making up 13.41% of the global officer cadre, and 171,218 ratings.

Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, attributed this growth to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and strategic investments in maritime education and infrastructure. To sustain this momentum, the Indian government is implementing Mission 20 per cent, a strategy designed to increase India's global seafaring workforce share to 20% by expanding training capacity and creating more opportunities for women.