Overview
- The BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 records India as the second-largest supplier with 311,936 seafarers, representing 12.16% of the global workforce.
- India supplies a disproportionate number of officers with 140,718 on record and 171,218 ratings, figures that position the country as a key source of qualified shipboard leaders.
- The report estimates global seafarer supply at 2.57 million against demand of 2.55 million, underlining a tight labour market and a continuing worldwide shortage of qualified officers.
- The government announced 'Mission 20%' to raise India's share to 20% by expanding training capacity, digitising certification, reforming maritime laws, and strengthening industry-academia links.
- The Ministry of External Affairs has increased monitoring and issued advisories for seafarers in high-risk routes, noting reported counts of Indian crews near the Strait of Hormuz and casualties in the Black Sea.