- Criminalization Of Seafarers.
- Skill Development,
- Relaxation In Cabotage.
- Stumbling block in Inclusivity in Maritime.
Your input and contributions were invaluable.
FSUI- ITF Seminar On Maritime Challenges
On7th June 2024 afternoon at The Orchid hotel, Vile Parle Near Mumbai domestic airport, Chancery room, excellent venue of the organisers.
FSUI trust, ITF, WTWF, invites and guests assembled, however due to last minute changes & hitch programs as the Secretary Shipping visiting Mumbai, DGS could not grace the event, nor Rear Ad. Ravi Nadkarni (retd). we have got the benefit of his written submission reproduced below.
The event began with MC Mr. Sanjeev Mehra… Inviting dignitaries to light ceremonial lamp and reciting of invocation Ganesh shloka.
Followed by panel discussion
On Criminalization Of Seafarers given latest issue of MV Dali in Baltimore USA, other pirated ships and ships affected by conflict in Red sea.
It was generally agreed that while this topic has been discussed threadbare many times at many platforms little effective steps have been taken to reduce agony of seafarers affected.
Even basic legal rights of representation have not come forth. It is agreed that India should ask for enhancing IMO Res on Criminalisation ; A 1056 2011 on the eve of MLC implementation & Demand release of Indian crew on MV Dali.
Rear Adm Ravi Nadkarni in writing observed that Piracy started in Arabian sea areas about 2006-7-08 and peaked in 2010. It is steadily in decline except for few High Risk Areas. Except that there is some recent resurgence due to conflict sites in Red sea and middle east. Due to this internation navies have had to divert their assets to combat risks to passing traffic by piracy and Houthi attacks in support of Hamas. Indian Navy has also increased its intervention e.g rescue of crew of MV Ruan last Dec and capture of pirates that were brought to India by IAF. Of concern lately is attack by drones. US has initiated prosperity freedom with cooperation of navies. Indian Navy is separately providing assistance outside this initiative in the area.
UN and IMO are issuing advisories to help shipping, trade by cease fire between Israel and Hamas is essential.
Indian Navy is using high tech instruments, drone spotters etc. and shipping is being guided by traffic service remotely.
Indian Navy has established data centre for collecting publishing incident data and learnings.
This was followed by tea and refreshment break.
Respected Speakers Mrs. HK Joshi & Mr. Hajra, put forward there strong views how the stake holders along with UNIONS have to come together for proposing a path to try and reduce the issues of criminalization of seafarers also how one SOP is required to be made for all Indian Ports too to reduces the criminalization of Seafarers and all ports to follow the advised process. Which will also help foreign flag vessels to call and reduce the hassles.
Respected Speakers Mrs. HK Joshi & Mr. Hajra, Women In Maritime emphasized increasing their low participation now to become 50/50 by 2047.
It’s generally agreed that Women seafarers are 2% of work force of Indian. Generally women seafarers targeted by Government Of India to become 20% by 2030. More women trainees should be attracted and for that nautical maritime reference should start their special mention on how Women Inclusion is extremely important and will influence the overall growth of Indian Shipping Industry,
Next session saw Women In Maritime in the backdrop of 18th May, Women empowerment day in Maritime being announced by IMO few years ago.
Here the panelists, discussed their inception years experiences, entry into maritime, pits and falls and way forward including changes.
Ms Miko Brown from ITF emphasized about how the organisation is supporting women in maritime ,the open discussion came up with strong independent women are created when we have an atmosphere that allows growth, the emphasis solution was given by one of the Panellist Ms. Aishwarya Pilankar stating that four Pillars for creating these atmosphere for increasing the inclusivity and to reduce these stumbling blocks are Support from Administration, Family & fraternity, Media and education by introducing of maritime at primary school level e.g. idea of nautical mile compared to mile, km.
Desirable upgradation in IMO instruments and MS Act was proposed by another panellist Adv. Ms. Manisha Tiwari Marine
Skill development session distinguished between skills, training, competence & education.
They are mutually exclusive events but complement each other.
Panelists emphasized need for basic minimum education especially in language and communication skills at entry level. Helping ratings to upgrade and some discussion towards it in enabling provisions in new STCW. In the context of autonomous shipping new skills would be required including use of alternative fuels.
One has to include these new competencies while deleting some outdated ones.
The last session was on cabotage relaxation.
House was divided on measures to combat this topic.
It is agreed that relaxation may go ahead with affirmative action on part of Government of India to help grow Indian flag shipping companies. Including but not limited to removal of ban old ships.
As per the written submission by Anil Devli CEO -INSA
The Indian shipping industry is burdened by higher operational costs due to domestic taxes and financing limitations, despite employing Indian crew and contributing to the national economy, Indian ships are not given preference when it comes to carrying Indian cargo. All we get is a RoFR which requires Indian ships to match the lowest quote of a foreign ship. This is of little use since taxes and duties make us non-competitive. It is our view that India should follow the example of other developed countries and implement policies that reserve a portion of Indian cargo for Indian ships, like requiring a license for foreign vessels in case an Indian ships is not available and mandating a minimum percentage of cargo be carried by Indian ships.
Concluding remarks were made by Mr. Manoj Yadav, & Mr. Narendra Rao thanking the audience for insightful discussion on different subjects touched in the seminar and for lively afternoon participation
Enclosed is program, session broachers and few photographs for your perusal.
