India has achieved a significant milestone in the global maritime industry by becoming the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers, according to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026. The latest assessment places India behind only the Philippines, reflecting the country’s remarkable progress in maritime education, training, and workforce development.
The report states that India currently contributes 311,936 seafarers to the global shipping industry, accounting for 12.16 percent of the world’s maritime workforce. The achievement marks a major improvement from 2015, when India held the fifth position with just over five percent of the global share.
India’s rise has been driven by sustained investments in maritime infrastructure, enhanced training standards, internationally recognised certification systems, and policy reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s shipping ecosystem. Over the past decade, the government has expanded maritime training institutions, digitised seafarer certification processes, and aligned domestic regulations with international standards, helping Indian professionals remain highly competitive in the global shipping market.
The BIMCO-ICS report also highlights India’s growing contribution to the global maritime workforce, reflecting the country’s increasing role in supplying highly trained maritime professionals for merchant fleets operating across international waters.
The continued growth of India’s maritime workforce positions the country as a key contributor to global shipping operations and strengthens its reputation as a reliable source of skilled seafarers.
India’s emergence as the world’s second-largest supplier of seafarers reinforces its growing influence in the global maritime economy and reflects the country’s long-term commitment to developing a skilled, internationally competitive workforce for the shipping industry.