One of the largest employers of Indian seafarers, Hong Kong-headquartered Anglo-Eastern Shipping Company is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary year, and has initiated one of the world`s largest new cadet training programmes to increase the global share of Indian seafarers. For the past 38 years, Anglo-Eastern Shipping Company`s India-based operations controlled by the Mumbai office have played a pivotal role in education & training of Indian students who wish to become world-class merchant navy officers.
Interview of CEO of Anglo-Eastern Shipping Company, Capt Bjorn Hojgaard:
How can the global share of Indian seafarers or merchant navy officers who work aboard cargo ships be increased at a phenomenal pace to boost the job prospects for Indian nationals and students?
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 US$2,500 per year, wages offered to seafarers or merchant navy officers are quite appealing in comparison. More investment in marine training institutions in India should be encouraged to increase the global share of Indian seafarers in the years to come.
Merchant Navy or seafaring profession has always been a lucrative career amongst Indian youth due to benefits like high salaries, tax sops, etc. As a nation, India ranks as the third-largest seafarer supplying nation worldwide. The ‘Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’, outlined by the Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, expands upon the objectives set forth in 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% from around 10% 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.
Tell us about Anglo-Eastern’s world`s largest new cadet training programme initiated in India.
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 Mumbai 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 Karjat near Mumbai maintains 100% 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. It is worth noting that presently, among the 42 nationalities represented in Anglo-Eastern 39,000 strong seafarer base, 52% of them are from India.
What is your message & advice to young Indian students who wish to become skilled mariners and merchant navy officers?
The maritime industry offers a wealth of opportunities for those passionate about the sea. With dedication and the right training, you can navigate the vast oceans, team up with like-minded crew members and shore professionals, manage ships, and ensure the safe transport of goods and passengers across the globe.
With 70% of our seafarers being promoted in-house and a 95% overall retention rate over the last 5 years, we believe in the benefits of investing in our people, and we have seen the growth of many seafarers transforming to various functionalities & positions at sea and ashore. In fact, large sections of our management team have formerly been on Anglo-Eastern ships while they gained solid experience and transferable skill sets at sea. Working in the maritime industry is a rewarding career, where you can experience diverse cultures and various scenarios, and in a way, with appropriate training and guidance, they will provide opportunities to grow your skill sets and help you shape a global perspective. Furthermore, after accumulating sufficient experience at sea, the world is open to you if you seek to further your career ashore.
How important is the welfare of seafarers for the growth of the Indian maritime sector?
Welfare of seafarers is of paramount importance, and it is thus critical that we protect our seafarers from undue harm and discrimination. There are cases where seafarers have been wrongly implicated in criminal activity without sufficient evidence. As a community, we need to ensure risks like these are mitigated to ensure those considering embarking on a seafaring career are able to do so without fear or prejudice. Which is why, Anglo-Eastern has also initiated one of the world’s largest and most extensive seafarer wellbeing programmes by the name, We Care. It touches the lives of more than 32,000 seafarers and their communities every year.
We are aware that there is so much more that needs to be done, and we cannot do this alone – it requires joint efforts from local governments and industry players to build a more wholesome maritime community.
