Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurates E-Samudra, a single-window digital platform for seafarers, shipping companies and maritime stakeholders, alongside a 24×7 grievance redressal system and a Digital Seafarers Employment Agreement.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated E-Samudra, a comprehensive digital platform integrating services for seafarers, shipping companies, ports and other maritime stakeholders, at a national stakeholder interaction on “Seafarer Security, Safety and Welfare and Inauguration of E-Samudra” in Mumbai on August 8, 2026. The event was organised by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. E-Samudra offers a single digital window with end-to-end workflows, online payments, real-time tracking and digitally issued certificates, transitioning maritime administration from a physical office-based model to Digital First and Faceless Governance. Alongside E-Samudra, DGMA showcased a series of complementary initiatives including the recently launched e-NAVIK 24×7 grievance redressal system, the forthcoming Seafarer Tracking Dashboard, the Digital Seafarers Employment Agreement (d-SEA) and enhanced welfare measures under the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society (SWFS). Sonowal said E-Samudra “is not merely a technology platform” but “a significant step towards making maritime governance simpler, more transparent and more stakeholder-centric,” adding that the initiative aims to ensure Ease of Living for seafarers and Ease of Doing Business for the maritime sector. MoPSW Secretary Vijay Kumar said India’s maritime policy is anchored in three 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.
India’s active seafarer workforce has grown from approximately 1.03 lakh in 2013 to more than 3.23 lakh in 2025. Sonowal noted that India has emerged as the second-largest supplier of seafarers globally and expressed confidence that India would soon become the world’s largest supplier, adding that India has become the world’s leading ship recycling destination and is working towards positioning itself among the world’s top five shipbuilding nations. Director General of Maritime Administration Shyam Jagannathan said E-Samudra ensures that “a seafarer onboard a vessel can access government services as easily as someone sitting ashore.” The event also highlighted DGMA’s response to recent geopolitical disruptions, with the Ministry stating that DGMA monitored more than 16,000 calls, handled over 40,000 communications and coordinated the safe repatriation of more than 4,000 stranded Indian seafarers through joint efforts with the Ministry of External Affairs, Indian missions, the Indian Navy, shipowners and other maritime stakeholders. Initiatives promoted at the event included Sagar Mein Yog, aimed at promoting the physical and mental wellbeing of seafarers, and Sagar Mein Samman, focused on strengthening opportunities and support for women seafarers.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB)
