Indian Maritime Associations Join Task Force
Concerned with declining market of Indian seafarers industry despite having high population in comparison to its rival countries, representatives of leading shipping associations in the country have joined a ‘task force’ or committee formed by Directorate General of Shipping of India to primarily increase the global share of Indian seafarers' market to over 9 percent from 7 percent at present. Among the associations are National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), Maritime Union of India (MUI), Maritime Association of Shipowners, Shipowners and Agents (MASSA) and others. India with 12 per cent of the world’s population has just 7 per cent of the seafarers’ market whilst Philippines with just 2 per cent of the world's population has grabbed about 20 per cent global share.
Shipping Corp Seafarers on Hunger Strike
Around 200 seafarers with Shipping Corporation of India (SCI), the country's largest shipping company, are on a hunger strike (industrial action) since Saturday over wages and arrears. According to a Press Trust of India report, these seafarers, deployed on 15 vessels owned and operated by the Centre, launched their strike demanding revised wages in accordance with the clauses of National Maritime Board Indias agreement. These seafarers have also approached the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) for its intervention. "SCI was meant to have increased seafarer wages by 30% as agreed in March last year," says the Union. “The arrears haven’t been given for over a year now.
India’s NUSI Warns of Oil Exploration Training Shortage
Indian shipping trade union the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) has asked the Indian Ministry of Shipping for financial help toward the training of maritime workforce in oil exploration activities. The union’s General Secretary, Abdulgani Serang, said NUSI has requested financial aid and incentives from the Ministry through National Shipping Board for training the maritime workforce at NUSI Offshore Training Institute (NOTI), currently operated by NUSI-ITF Trust. NOTI trains the workforce that operates specialized vessels…
Seafarers' Unions Hold International Cruise Seminar in India
NUSI alongwith Norwegian Seafarers Union (NSU), FIT-CISL and International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) together organized the Fifth International Cruise Seminar in India. This time the seminar was organized in Bangalore from January 19th -23rd, 2016. Around 75 seafarers from various cruise lines such as NCL, RCCL, Silverseas, P&O, Louis Cruise Lines and others participated in the seminar. The participants held all types of positions onboard, varying from Deck & Engine, HR and both higher and lower ranking positions in the Hotel/Catering Departments. The goal was to educate seafarers about Basic Trade Union awareness, their rights while working at sea, Harassment & Bullying, health and HIV-Aids. their ship and educate their fellow crew members.
Seamen’s Unity Day Celebrated
The Indian seafarers celebrate 6th November as the Seamen’s Unity Day. The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) commemorated the occasion as is done annually on the 6th of November, which is also a paid holiday for seafarers working on Indian and foreign flag ships. The Seamen’s Unity Day function, 2015 was attended by hundreds of seafarers, family members besides the representatives of shipping organizations. NUSI President, Capt. N. Hiranandani presided the function and informed the gathering about the ISWAN award that was bagged by NUSI. He also notified everybody about the Income tax relief which has benefitted the Indian seafarers. The gathering also witnessed felicitation of Capt. Nalin Pandey, Managing Director of Pentagon Shipping Ltd. for being awarded the Link India U.K.
Tax Exemption for Seafarers on Indian Flag Ships
The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) has informed has conceded to their demands of granting Income tax exemption to Indian seafarers sailing on Indian flag vessels. Accordingly, Union has stated that through a the Government of India circular the government has accepted the demand of NUSI to have no income tax for Indian seafarers working on Indian flag ships. Indian flag ships whether on the coast or in foreign waters will now be considered totally as period in foreign waters. Members of NUSI have appreciated the positive stand of the Government. In press release it was stated "NUSI and Indian seafarers are very happy due to this development and appreciate the efforts of Nitin Gadkari…
Maritime Simulation “A-to-Z”
Headquartered in New Delhi, India with operations in the U.S., ARI Simulation’s business for more than two decades has been to design and deliver world-class simulation solutions across multiple maritime sectors. MR spoke with Shravan Rewari, CEO, for his insights on technologies and technique moving the maritime simulation markets. ARI Simulation provides simulation products and solutions across a broad range of industries including marine, offshore, oil and gas, exploration and production, naval and strategic, airports, and construction.
Tax Relief for Indian Seafarers
Indian seafarers serving on Indian flagged vessel are forced to pay income tax if their vessel touches two Indian ports during a voyage whereas Indians serving on foreign flag vessels were exempted from paying such a tax. This had cast a burden not only on the seafarers but Indian shipping companies which, as a result, have been seeing flight of good talent to foreign shipping companies. The National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) has been consistently persuing the matter with the Government of India demanding grant of parity to Indian seafarers serviing on Indian vessels with those on foreign flagged vessel and have now finally found success. NUSI informed that the Government has accepted thier demand for Income Tax relief to Indian seafarers working on Indian flag ships.
Ship Master Collects Donations for a Piracy Survivor
An Indian Master, Capt Sukhvinder Bhamra, was sailing onboard the MSC Vanessa when he received an email from Mr Abdul Gani Serang of the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) on the hardships faced by Mr Aman Sharma, recently released from captivity as part of the MV Albedo crew. The Master and his crew started to collect money amongst the crew members of the ship. When he signed off, Capt Bhamra called Mr Sharma and informed him that he will try to collect about INR100,000 (USD1,650) from his ship's crew and will help him in the coming days. Mr Sharma has since received the first of this support: INR30,000 (USD500). MPHRP would like to sincerely thank Captain Bhamra and his crew for their heartfelt and generous donations.
ARI Deliver India Offshore Vessel Bridge Simulators
ARI Simulation has delivered a complete suite of integrated offshore simulators to the NUSI Offshore Training Institute (NOTI) in Mumbai, India. The NOTI facility has been created by the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) to support competence development in offshore shipping among its members, promoting best practice as they progress up the chain of command in this vital, fast-growing sector. ARI Simulation was given a brief to achieve several offshore sector firsts for NOTI.
Shipping Bodies Raise Alarm as Pirates Take Ransom
The International Chamber of Shipping, ITF, Indian National Shipowners’ Association, NUSI, MUI, IMEC, InterManager, Intertanko and BIMCO deplore the latest development in the Indian Ocean piracy crisis as some Indian crew members of a released merchant ship are retained ashore in Somalia. The Asphalt Venture, a 1991 built asphalt/bitumen tanker was hijacked by Somali pirates on September 28th 2010 and, following a ransom payment, the ship was released on April 15. Despite the owners’ concluding a dialogue with the pirates for the full release of 15 crew and vessel and payment of the ransom, the vessel was released but the Master has reported that 6 officers and 1 rating were taken off the tanker and made to accompany the pirates ashore.
