India’s unlikely edge over Dragon? Its seafarers
India has surpassed China in the number of merchant shipping officers, according to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026. Indian officers, ranging from entry-level deck cadets to senior masters, now total 140,718, which is approximately 27% higher than China's 110,893 officers. While China has a larger crew with non-officer ratings, India's total seafaring workforce of 311,936 seafarers still places it second only to the Philippines.
Indian officers are known for their technical skills, English proficiency, leadership abilities, and adaptability to multicultural environments, according to M Angamuthu, chairman of Mumbai Port Authority. The crisis in West Asia, which has claimed 10 Indian seafarers since February, has not deterred young professionals from pursuing a career at sea. They see the merchant navy as a rewarding global profession, offering excellent career prospects, global exposure, and professional growth.
The depreciation of the Indian rupee against the US dollar has made a career at sea even more lucrative, despite stagnant salary hikes for several years. On average, entry-level officers earn around $3,000 per month, while senior masters of oil tankers earn at least $15,000 per month. Indian officers are highly valued for their competence and work ethic, with English fluency providing additional advantages.
Ships often have captains who do not need to speak the officers' native languages, as seen with Italian-owned ships under the Malta flag.
Written by urgent.news from The Economic Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
