Maritime association MASSA upskilling Indian seafarers

For the first time in its history, India's leading shipping association 'Maritime Association of Ship Owners Ship Managers and Agents (MASSA)' has initiated a 'Reward Scheme for Excellence' at its maritime training academies operated by 'Maritime Training & Research Foundation (MTRF)' Trust for Indian seafarers, who intend to undergo the preparatory 'Certificate of Competency' maritime courses. This move is primarily aimed at increasing the global share of Indian seafarers. MTRF was formed in 1994.

Under the newly launched Reward Scheme for Excellence, Indian seafarers who successfully pass all functions of the written examinations conducted by The Director General of Shipping of India's Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) in the first attempt will be offered one simulator training course free of cost at MASSA Maritime Academies based in Navi Mumbai or Chennai.

"This reward will be offered initially for a period of one year for students enrolling at MASSA academies between December 2021 and December 2022. The eligible students can thereafter undergo simulator course training free of cost in our Navi Mumbai or Chennai academies within two years of the declaration of results of MMD examinations," said Maneesh Pradhan, Chairman, MTRF.

He added, "this scheme will undoubtedly promote talent within the Indian shipping industry. Covid did result in some backlog, but now that the maritime examination system is under way, we wish to reward meritorious people who would be driven to do well. MASSA, being an Indian association of prestigious shipping companies, is contributing back to the country's buoyant maritime sector by floating such a reward scheme that will lead to up-skilling of thousands of Indian seafarers."

The Reward Scheme for Excellence for Indian seafarers promoted by MASSA is indeed a big boost to the Indian maritime industry. Pradhan said that Indian seafarers have a distinct advantage over other Asian counterparts due to their competence and command over English. The edge due to English is narrowing constantly as many countries have planned to bridge this gap resulting in some competition coming up. If India intends to retain and increase the global share of its highly skilled seafaring workforce, Indian merchant navy officers need to stand out in terms of competence and quality. There are many technological changes the global shipping sector is witnessing presently and with more to come, maritime training would be extremely crucial for building the quality pool of seafarers required to operate specialized cargo vessels world-wide.

Some of the technological advances witnessed in the ship operating procedures globally at present include dual fuel engines, better voyage management & planning, advanced fuel efficient cargo ships, advanced equipment onboard for monitoring cargo ships' parameters, ballast water treatment systems, exhaust gas scrubbers, etc. Pradhan reiterated that maritime training institutes operated by MTRF will play an important role in educating and enhancing the skills of Indian seafarers going forward. The infrastructure required for maritime training is very large and costly. Maritime simulators are expensive instruments of learning generally although are extremely critical for training of seafarers. The work on cargo ships continues to be labour intensive and not stress free. Which is why, the mental wellbeing of our Indian seafarers too is a cause of concern. This is again something that excellent training institutes operated by MTRF would address by subjecting seafarers to soft skill training modules.

MTRF maritime institutes operated by MASSA based in Navi Mumbai and Chennai train over 7500 Indian seafarers per year through specialized shipping courses. The origin of MASSA dates back to 1947 when it was established under the name of Owners/Agents' Committee (Crews). Since its inception, it has played a pivotal role in formulating a unified policy regarding the employment of Indian seamen. Some of the MASSA members have employed Indian officers and ratings for over six decades and have extensive shipping interests in India.

Mumbai-based MASSA is a non-profit making body of Shipowners, Shipmanagers and their Agents registered as a Section 25 company under Indian Companies Act 1956. MASSA members include companies which have a long association with the Indian manning sector and are identified as traditional employers of Indian merchant navy officers and ratings (semi-skilled mariners).

MASSA is an independent organization which enjoys an excellent rapport and working relationship with the Government of India, Ministry of Shipping, Director General of Shipping, Indian Shipowners and allied shipping interests, National Union of Seafarers of India, Forward Seamen's Union of India and The Maritime Union of India. MASSA is represented in various statutory bodies in the Shipping industry.

MASSA provides a forum for member lines (Indian and foreign), their local agents and Shipmanagers to interact with Indian Government and maritime unions in all matters relating to employment, training and welfare of seamen. MASSA is also the Secretariat of National Maritime Board of India.