Anglo-Eastern Aims To Double India’s Share Of Global Seafarers

Seafaring is a lucrative career in India, and the government aims to increase the percentage of Indian seafarers globally to 20% by 2030. Currently, Indians make up 52% of Anglo-Eastern's seafarer base

One of the largest employers of Indian seafarers, Hong Kong-headquartered Anglo-Eastern Shipping Company is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, and has initiated one of the world's largest new cadet training programmes to increase the global share of Indian seafarers. Talking to Bizz Buzz, Vineet Gupta, MD, Anglo-Eastern Ship Management India - India-based subsidiary of global conglomerate, Anglo-Eastern Shipping Company said, “For the past 25 years, Anglo-Eastern Shipping Company's South India-based operations have played a pivotal role in education and training of Indian students residing who wish to become world-class merchant navy officers.

Capt Bjorn Hojgaard, CEO, Anglo-Eastern Shipping Company, said: "Under one of the world's largest new cadet training programmes of Anglo-Eastern Shipping Company, over 2000 Indian youngsters are being trained at our maritime training facilities based in India to increase the global share of Indian seafarers as merchant navy officers, who work aboard specialized cargo ships, are in good demand across the globe.” Anglo Eastern Shipping Company’s maritime training college based in India maintains 100 per cent placement records as students or cadets enrolled at Anglo Eastern Maritime Academy eventually get hired by Anglo Eastern Group’s global operations post their successful completion of maritime studies.

Merchant Navy or seafaring profession has always been a lucrative career amongst Indian youth due to benefits like high salaries, tax sops, etc. The ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’, outlined by the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, expands upon the objectives set forth in the Government of India’s ‘Maritime India Vision 2030’. It is estimated that the percentage of Indian seafarers in the global shipping industry is expected to rise to 20 per cent from around 10 per cent currently within the next ten years. The total number of Indian seafarers has seen substantial growth, rising from around 108,000 in 2013 to approximately 250,000 in 2024.

As a nation, India ranks as the third-largest seafarer supplying nation worldwide. It is worth noting that presently, among the 42 nationalities represented in Anglo-Eastern 39,000 strong seafarer base, 52 per cent of them are from India.

India boasts one of the largest populations of young and educated graduates seeking career opportunities. Given the country's average per capita income of approximately $2,500 per year, the wages offered to merchant navy officers or seafarers are quite appealing in comparison. Our on-going cadet training programme in India aims at collaborating with the Government of India to train & up-skill Indian youth keen on becoming world-class merchant navy officers. Also, our endeavour is to promote seafaring profession among female students of India,” added Hojgaard.