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India urges mandatory cadets onboard

India urges mandatory cadets onboard

Mumbai: Facing acute shortage of trained seafarers, India plans to approach the International Maritime Organisation to make it mandatory for every ship to accommodate at least one trainee.

"Every ship should have at least one berth for trainees... The Indian National Shipowners' Association (INSA) has already been mandated to adopt this practice. We will also take up the issue with the IMO so that this becomes an international practice," Director-General of Shipping Kiran Dhingra told reporters, adding "Seafarers without practical training are of no use."

Recently, the Director-General of Shipping issued a notification instructing institutes to tie-up with shipping companies to provide sea-time training to students.

India's move to force owners to take cadets has also been mooted at the manning sub-committee of the Hong Kong Shipowners Association who have mulled the idea of demanding all ships carry officer cadets for both the bridge and the engine.

The shipping industry worldwide is facing up to an acute shortage of officers at a time when the global newbuilding orderbook stands at historic highs.  [02/04/07]