India Becomes World's Second-Largest Supplier of Seafarers

India now provides 311,936 maritime professionals, accounting for 12.16% of the global seafaring workforce and ranking second worldwide behind the Philippines and ahead of China, Russia and Indonesia. The BIMCO‑ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026 notes that India’s share has more than doubled since 2015, rising from 5.2% to 12.16% and that the country supplies 140,718 officers (13.41% of the world’s officer cadre) and 171,218 ratings (11.29% of ratings).

The report estimates the global supply of seafarers at 2.57 million against a demand of 2.55 million, indicating a tightening labour market. The surge reflects a decade of reforms under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including expanded maritime education, modernised training infrastructure, digitised certification through the Directorate General of Shipping, and alignment with international STCW standards.