India on Saturday launched E-Samudra, a comprehensive digital platform aimed at transforming maritime governance by bringing services for seafarers, shipping companies, ports and other stakeholders under a single digital window.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the platform at a national stakeholder interaction on “Seafarer Security, Safety and Welfare and Inauguration of E-Samudra” in Mumbai.
The initiative is part of a broader effort to make maritime administration more transparent, technology-driven and accessible while strengthening the safety, security and welfare of India’s growing seafarer workforce.
Alongside E-Samudra, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) showcased several initiatives, including the recently launched e-NAVIK 24×7 grievance redressal system, the upcoming Seafarer Tracking Dashboard, the Digital Seafarers Employment Agreement (d-SEA) and enhanced welfare measures under the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS).
“E-Samudra is not merely a technology platform; it is a significant step towards making maritime governance simpler, more transparent and more stakeholder-centric,” Sonowal said.
He said technology would be meaningful only when it improved people’s lives and that the new platform would promote “Ease of Living” for seafarers and “Ease of Doing Business” for the maritime sector.
India now second-largest supplier of seafarers
Highlighting India’s expanding maritime capabilities, Sonowal said the country had emerged as the second-largest supplier of seafarers globally and expressed confidence that India would soon become the world’s largest supplier.
He also said India had become the world’s leading ship recycling destination and was working towards entering the world’s top five shipbuilding nations.
“Every Indian seafarer must be safe, respected and supported,” Sonowal said, stressing that seafarers remained central to India’s ambition of becoming a global maritime power under the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
India’s active seafarer workforce has expanded sharply, from around 1.03 lakh in 2013 to more than 3.23 lakh in 2025, increasing the need for efficient digital services, regulation and welfare mechanisms.
Single-window services and digital certificates
Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Vijay Kumar said India’s maritime policy was anchored in three key pillars – the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, which recognises seafarers as key workers; the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047; and the principle of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.
He said E-Samudra would bring maritime services onto a single digital platform, offering end-to-end workflows, online payments, real-time tracking and digitally issued certificates.
“The objective is not merely to put processes online, but to make them predictable, transparent and time-bound,” Kumar said.
DGMA Director General Shyam Jagannathan described E-Samudra as a shift from physical, office-based administration to a Digital First and Faceless Governance model.
He said the platform would enable seafarers onboard vessels to access government services with the same ease as those available to people on shore.
Government steps up support during global disruptions
The programme also highlighted the DGMA’s response to geopolitical disruptions affecting international shipping.
According to the ministry, DGMA monitored more than 16,000 vessel calls, handled over 40,000 communications and helped coordinate the safe repatriation of more than 4,000 stranded Indian seafarers.
The efforts involved coordination among the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions abroad, the Indian Navy, shipowners and other maritime stakeholders.
MoPSW also highlighted Sagar Mein Yog, an initiative promoting the physical and mental wellbeing of seafarers, and Sagar Mein Samman, aimed at improving opportunities and support for women seafarers.
The Ministry said the number of women working as seafarers had increased significantly in recent years, reflecting greater inclusivity in the maritime workforce.
Focus on safety, dignity and career development
During the event, Sonowal interacted with representatives of recruitment and placement agencies, maritime organisations, training institutes, cadets and young maritime professionals.
Discussions focused on recruitment, employment, welfare, regulatory compliance and career development. Sonowal urged young Indian seafarers to uphold safety, professionalism, dignity and continuous learning, while assuring them of the government’s continued support.
The launch of E-Samudra marks a major step in India’s transition towards technology-enabled and citizen-centric maritime administration. By bringing multiple services onto a common digital platform, the government expects to reduce compliance burdens, improve transparency and service delivery, and further strengthen India’s position as a leading global maritime nation.
