File photo: Ships in the sea
NEW DELHI: With a 12.2% share of global seafaring workforce, India has become the world’s second-largest supplier of sailors, according to BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026. The Philippines continues to be the largest supplier of seafarers globally.The report published every five years is widely regarded by the global maritime industry as the most authoritative assessment of seafarer supply and demand. As per the report, share of Indian sailors has doubled in the past five years.”BIMCO-ICS report is the most credible and every maritime nation follows this. India’s strength is particularly evident in the officer cadre. We supply over 1.4 lakh officers, accounting for 13.4% of the world’s officer workforce, while 1.7 lakh ratings represent 11.29% of the global ratings serving aboard merchant vessels,” said an official.
