Shri Mandaviya also informed that important initiatives have been taken in recent years to enhance employment opportunities for the youth in the maritime sector. These include increasing onboard training opportunities, improving the examination and certification system and facilitating ease of doing business.

The Minister informed that a decision was taken to allow on-board training of officers and ratings on tugs and offshore vessels also. This has opened additional onboard training berths for nearly 4000 trainees. Training institutes are being held responsible for onboard ship training of the students. Further, constant monitoring of the Recruitment and Placement Services License (RPSL) has encouraged unregistered Recruitment and Placement Services (RPS) to come under the RPSL regime. In the year 2013, there were approximately 300 registered RPSL which rose to 485 in 2018.

The Training curriculum for officers and ratings were revised in 2016 to meet global standards and the expectation of foreign employers. The Government has brought in major regulatory relaxation for obtaining Indian Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) which is a pre-requisite for boarding a vessel for the purposes of employment.

Shri Mandaviyafurther informed that the Ministry of Shipping has lifted an earlier ban on the conduct of post sea modular courses, pre-sea GP ratings and pre-sea courses. This would increase the number of Indian seafarers onboard ships. The ministry has also introduced a few new courses in line with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Model courses.

These include:-

a) Guidelines for Basic Training for ships operating in Polar Water Course.

b) Guidelines for Advanced Training for ships Operating in Polar Water course and

c) Guidelines for Assessment, Examination and Certification of Seafarers (AECS) course.

The Minister also informed that the Directorate General of Shipping is working to bring an exhaustive list of services under one digital portal to ensure transparency and efficiency.

Reference: pib.nic.in