Indian officers are in demand abroad: Merchant Navy Officer

Indian shipping companies' share in the global sea trade sector dropped from about 35 per cent in 1990-91 to under 14 per cent in 2004-05. What's the current situation?  What impact has this dip had on the Indian shipping industry as an employer?
Indian shipping companies' share in India's exim trade was maximum 40.7 per cent in 1987-88. Thereafter, it gradually slid over the years and in 2007-08, it was about 9.5 per cent.  However, this has not resulted in any dip in terms of employment of Indian seafarers. Shipping tonnage has actually grown over the last three or four years and currently stands at 9.45 million gross tonnage. However, the fact of the case is that the growth in tonnage has not been able to cope up with the growth in India's exim trade, which has on average grown at a CAGR of 7.75 per cent. Moreover, Indian ships participating in the cross trade, i.e. Trade between countries not involving India, increased substantially and continue to engage Indian officers and crew. Therefore, in Indian companies as an employer, there has never been a dip for employment opportunities for Indian seafarers. In fact, job options for Indian seafarers have gone up also in various sectors such as offshore, dredging etc. It may be pertinent to mention that around 75 per cent of Indian merchant navy officers and seamen work on foreign flag ships.

Tell us something about the evolution of merchant navy and the job profiles of deck officers. What should aspiring navigation officers keep in mind before taking the plunge into this line?
The ships are navigated, propelled and maintained by highly qualified, trained, and skilled navigating officers and marine engineers. Officers of both disciplines undergo maritime education, training, shipboard training, and other highly specialised training programmes for a period of between four to six years before getting their certificate of competency as officers. The ships today are totally mechanised, sophisticated machinery and equipment, and have a very high level of automation system. The communication systems on ships these days are very advanced and operate through the satellite systems. This profession requires hard work, an analytical mind, and adaptability to shipboard working and living conditions, which entails prolonged periods of working hours with very little rest at times. However, there are lean periods, too, when the ship is in open seas.

How many women Indian deck officers work in merchant shipping? Any measures to encourage them to join up?
At present, fewer than 10 women work on Indian ships as navigating officers and fewer than 20 work on Indian ships as marine engineers. There is an age relaxation of two years across the board at entry level for women and tuition fee for the induction courses is 50 per cent with a view to encourage them to enter into the marine profession.

The manpower demand and supply for deck officers expected in the next five years?

The demand for both navigating (deck) officers as well as marine engineers is growing. More and more foreign companies are sourcing Indian officers and seamen, or increasing the share of Indian officers and seamen in their fleet. This trend is likely to continue, irrespective of the recession or otherwise.

What are the growth prospects in merchant shipping?
After having sailed in the ships starting as a trainee, and going up the hierarchy slowly young officers can hope to become captain or chief engineers, depending upon selection of the branch. The officers can also opt for shore assignments as port pilots, surveyors, lecturers, safety auditors, shipping company management professional, technical shipping management organisations, and slowly rise up to secure top management positions, or can even show entrepreneurial skills to become a shipowner.