The Hindu Business Line : Changes in marine engineering education, training mooted

A FOCUSSED policy towards marine engineering training in India is the need of the hour to further strengthen the country's position in the global maritime sector, according to experts.

The presence of East Europeans in the global seafarers market and the increased availability of trained manpower from China and the Philippines are posing a threat to India's supremacy in the world maritime trade, Mr Brijendra K. Saxena of Tolani Maritime Institute, Pune, said in a paper submitted at a recent seminar.

Even Myanmar has been producing a substantial number of junior officers and many companies in the Far Eastern region are very satisfied with their performance level, he said.

The total increase of Chinese seafarers in the recent period is 7.24 per cent, whereas the corresponding Indian increase is a modest 3.21 per cent. The number of Russian crew in the officer category had also shown an increasing trend in the recent past.

Taking into consideration of all such things, Mr Saxena pointed out that there should be a proper assessment of the activities of all our neighbouring competitors to make suitable changes in the present system.

A closer look at the marine engineering education and training with clear understanding as to what is happening in other countries will definitely benefit the maritime training in the country in the long run, he added.

According to him, the contribution of Indian marine engineers in the development of maritime industry around the world is commendable.

However, it is imperative that this situation is continued and probably improved. A research by Bin Wu of Seafarers International Research Centre, Cardiff University, indicated that 55 per cent of Chinese seafarers would like to work in foreign ships, he said.

Mr Saxena also proposed certain suggestions in order to further strengthen the maritime training considering the excellent job opportunities the sector offers.

The marine engineering institutes should network with educational institutes of other disciplines to get necessary inputs.

Better information should be given to the prospective entrants regarding shipping industry and actual job on board.

A comprehensive method of selection would ensure that only suitable students are selected. More industry-institute interaction is needed to help in clearly understanding the needs of each other.

Marine engineering training is an integral part of the maritime industry in India. Indian seafarers, including the marine engineers is welcomed by the ship owning and ship management companies world over and are considered to be efficient, skilful and dependable and effective.

The Government's policy allowing private sector participation has resulted in development of many institutes offering dedicated 4-year marine engineering degree programmes.

India has made a place among the manpower supplying countries, especially in the officers' category. To maintain the market share, he said there should be a closer look on the maritime education and training system.

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