India Becomes World's Second-Largest Supplier of Seafarers: BIMCO-ICS Report 2026

1
India has become the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, according to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026.
2
India now supplies 311,936 seafarers, making up 12.16% of the global maritime workforce.
3
India ranks behind only the Philippines and ahead of China; its share was just 5.2% in 2015 (5th place).
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The government is pursuing 'Mission 20%' to raise India's share of global seafarers to 20%.

●Report: BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026
●India's rank: 2nd largest supplier of seafarers globally
●India's seafarers: 311,936 (12.16% of the global workforce)
●Officers: 140,718 (13.41%); Ratings: 171,218 (11.29%)
●Ahead of: China; Behind: the Philippines
●Government target: 'Mission 20%' (raise share to 20%)

Share in 2015

5.2% (ranked 5th)

Share in 2026

12.16% (ranked 2nd)

Total seafarers 2026

311,936

Mission target

20% of the global workforce

BIMCO

Largest international shipping association representing shipowners

HQ: Bagsvaerd, Denmark

ICS (International Chamber of Shipping)

Global trade association for merchant shipowners and operators

HQ: London, UK

Seafarer remittances and employment are a significant contributor to India's economy, and a larger share of the global maritime workforce strengthens India's role in world trade, most of which moves by sea. The jump from 5.2% (2015) to 12.16% (2026) reflects expanded maritime training capacity, and 'Mission 20%' signals an intent to make India a leading crewing nation.

Exam Relevance

upsc

GS Paper III > Economy > Infrastructure & Services

ssc

General Awareness > Reports & Indices

Previously Asked (PYQs)

UPSC Prelims 2025

Consider the following pairs: I. Woman Farmer : 2026 II. Sustainable Tourism : 2027 III. Peace and Trust : 2025 IV. Asteroid : 2029 How many... correctly matched?

Answer: All the four

Expected Questions

★Which report ranked India the 2nd-largest supplier of seafarers?
★Which country is the world's largest supplier of seafarers?

Key Terms

Ratings

Seafarers who are not officers — the general crew supporting deck and engine operations

priority_highMust Remember

•India: 2nd-largest seafarer supplier, 12.16% share (BIMCO-ICS Report 2026); target 'Mission 20%'

tips_and_updatesExam Tips

•Remember the order: Philippines (1st), India (2nd), China (3rd).

Question 1 of 3Score: 0/0

Factual

Current Affairs Pulse

India Becomes World's Second-Largest Supplier of Seafarers: BIMCO-ICS Report 2026

Key Points

Quick Facts

Key Data & Numbers

Important Bodies

BIMCO

ICS (International Chamber of Shipping)

Why It Matters

Exam Spotlight

Exam Relevance

Previously Asked (PYQs)

Expected Questions

Key Terms

priority_highMust Remember

tips_and_updatesExam Tips

Practice Quiz

According to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026, India is the world's ___ largest supplier of seafarers.

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