Thanks to the growing efficiency of shipping as a mode of transport and increased economic liberalization, the prospects for the industry’s further growth continue to be strong. The robust world economy, fuelled by Chinese and Indian growth, is driving the demand for tonnage to unprecedented heights. Shipyards are flush with shipping tonnage orders for next 5 to 6 years and the level of scrapping old tonnage is at its historical low as the high freight rates continue to make even the old tonnage profitable.

There are around 50,000 merchant ships trading internationally, transporting every kind of cargo. The world fleet is registered in over 150 nations, and manned by over a million seafarers of virtually every nationality. The Indians play an important part in providing third party ship management solutions to the Ship owners.

The global shipping is increasingly relying on India as a favoured source of its current and future seafarer demand, because it acknowledges that India has the means to satisfy the number shortage and the Indian recruitment system provides the strongest foundation for building high standards of skills, initiatives, professionalism and leadership required by the modern seafarers.

No doubt those who think they can overcome these shortcomings can have immense opportunities in this field. At an early age they can explore the world at someone else’s cost with an attractive remuneration along with world recognition.