Mumbai: Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal on Saturday said that seafarers remain at the heart of India’s maritime growth story, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring their safety, dignity and welfare.
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 and stressed the need to provide seafarers with a secure and supportive working environment.
On the occasion, E-Samudra, a comprehensive digital maritime governance platform, was inaugurated. The platform is aimed at providing 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 highlighted that India’s active seafarer workforce has increased from around 1.03 lakh in 2013 to over 3.23 lakh in 2025, making the country the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers.
Director General of Shipping Shyam Jagannathan described E-Samudra as a transformational initiative that would redefine maritime governance in India. He said the platform marks a shift towards digital-first and faceless governance, enabling seafarers onboard vessels to access government services with the same ease as those on shore.
The stakeholder interaction brought together representatives from the maritime industry, seafarer organisations, recruitment and placement agencies, maritime training institutes, shipowners, government agencies and maritime professionals from across the country.