Introducing ISWAN’s New Ambassadors
27 May 2026
4 min read
ISWAN’s ambassador network continues to grow across regions, strengthening awareness and support for seafarers and their families worldwide.
The ISWAN Seminar 2024 in India, hosted on 28th November at the Maritime Training Institute (SCI) in Mumbai, brought together key maritime stakeholders to address pressing challenges affecting seafarers and their families.
The ISWAN Seminar 2024 in India, hosted on 28th November at the Maritime Training Institute (SCI) in Mumbai, brought together key maritime stakeholders to address pressing challenges affecting seafarers and their families. Over 150 participants, including maritime leaders, policymakers, shipping executives, welfare organizations, seafarers, their families, and academics, convened to explore topics ranging from discussions on family support, fraudulent crewing agents, and the impact of decarbonization on seafarers’ well-being, alongside key launches and collaborative announcements.
The seminar started with a welcome address by Mr. Deepak Shetty, IRS (Retd.), Former Secretary to the Government of India, Director General of Shipping, and ISWAN Trustee, who emphasized the significance of industry collaboration in enhancing welfare initiatives. This was followed by addresses from distinguished guests:
Prof. (Dr.) Tanuja Kaushik, Dean of Academic Affairs, Gujarat Maritime University (GMU), emphasized the importance of addressing legal complexities in the maritime sector, particularly those concerning fraudulent crewing practices. She highlighted GMU’s pivotal role in advancing maritime welfare research through initiatives like the GMU-ISWAN survey on fraudulent crewing agents. Prof. Kaushik also underscored the university’s commitment to fostering collaboration between academia, industry, and welfare organizations to create robust legal frameworks and promote ethical practices in the maritime domain.
Capt. J. C. Anand, Chairman Emeritus, the Indian Register of Shipping, and the senior-most member of the Indian maritime industry at 103 years of age, captivated the audience with his address. He stressed the importance of training seafarers and upholding ethical practices in maritime operations and reflected on the industry’s evolving landscape over the decades.
Mr. Rene Anderson, CEO, Sea Health and Welfare, spoke about the significance of holistic welfare approaches for seafarers. He highlighted the parallels between ISWAN’s work and Sea Health’s initiatives, emphasizing collaboration for the well-being of maritime professionals.
Mr. Shyam Jagannathan, IAS, Director General of Shipping, India, delivered the Chief Guest’s address, focusing on regulatory measures designed to support seafarers. He spoke about the Directorate’s commitment to digitizing grievance redressal mechanisms and simplifying processes to ensure timely assistance for seafarers in need. He also mentioned the MOU with ISWAN as a testament to this effort.
Capt. Daniel Joseph, Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG (Tech), Directorate General of Shipping, reinforced the Director General’s vision, commending ISWAN for its welfare programs. He emphasized India’s proactive approach to ensuring maritime safety and support for its seafarers.
Commander Abeer Sharma, representing the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (Indian Navy), provided an operational perspective on maritime security. He addressed geopolitical challenges in West Asia, maritime threats, and the importance of collaborative knowledge sharing between the Navy and the maritime industry. The session concluded with an engaging Q&A, offering deeper insights into India’s maritime preparedness.
This panel explored the importance of families in bolstering seafarers’ mental well-being and resilience. Moderated by Mr. Simon Grainge, Chief Executive at ISWAN, the discussion covered strategies to strengthen family systems and the industry’s role in addressing challenges faced by seafarers’ loved ones.
Panellists:
Dr. Harish Shetty, Senior Psychiatrist
Ms. Saleha Shaikh, Founder & Head, MUI Women’s Wing
Capt. Karan Kochhar, Managing Director, Maersk
Capt. Sharad Kishore, Master Mariner
Based on the GMU-ISWAN survey findings, this panel focused on the prevalence and consequences of fraudulent recruitment practices, featuring the testimony of Sumeet Vishwakarma, who shared his experience as a victim of such practices. Moderated by Mr. Alexander Held, Head of Commercial Turtle, the session highlighted legal, regulatory, and educational interventions to protect seafarers from exploitation.
Panellists:
Capt. Manish Kumar, Nautical Surveyor, Directorate General of Shipping
Dr. Mohit Gupta, Assistant Professor, Gujarat Maritime University
Mr. Marville Espago, Regional Manager, ISWAN Philippines
Mr. Sumeet Vishwakarma, Seafarer
This discussion addressed the complex challenges posed by the industry’s shift towards decarbonization. Moderated by Mr. Rajeev Nayyer, President of the Institute of Marine Engineers (India), panellists reflected on the balance between achieving environmental goals and ensuring the well-being and preparedness of seafarers.
Panellists:
Ms. Louise Hall, Director of Loss Prevention, Corporate Responsibility, and Marketing, The Shipowners’ Club
Mr. Kaushik Seal, Director, Slabs Consultancy Pvt Ltd
Mr. Karan Ahuja, Chief Engineer
Mr. Chirag Bahri, International Operations Manager, ISWAN
Mr. Simon Grainge, Chief Executive at ISWAN, delivered the closing remarks, summarizing the seminar’s impactful discussions. He highlighted key takeaways from the day, including the focus on mental health, maritime security, decarbonization’s impact on welfare, and the urgent need to address fraudulent recruitment practices. He appreciated the contributions of esteemed speakers for providing actionable insights. Mr. Grainge reiterated ISWAN’s commitment to working collaboratively with industry leaders, government bodies, and academic institutions to drive meaningful changes for seafarers and their families.
In his vote of thanks, Mr. Chirag Bahri, International Operations Manager at ISWAN, expressed gratitude to all participants, including esteemed guests for their invaluable contributions. He acknowledged the efforts of moderators and panellists from the day’s sessions for fostering constructive dialogue. Mr. Bahri also extended heartfelt thanks to the sponsors and supporting organisations for their support and emphasized the importance of collective efforts in advancing seafarer welfare initiatives.
The seminar also featured an interactive app-based contest, with the winner receiving a Marshall Kilburn II Bluetooth speaker sponsored by Sailor Today Radio.
ISWAN extends its heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors, whose generous support made the ISWAN Seminar 2024 a resounding success:
Additionally, ISWAN acknowledges the contributions of the Supporting Organizations, which included: The Company of Master Mariners of India, NAUGHTICA-Offing Group, FOSMA, Institute of Marine Engineers (India), INSA, MASSA, Maritime Training Institute (SCI), TURTLE, and The Shipowners’ Club.
This collective effort demonstrates the maritime community’s shared commitment to enhancing the welfare of seafarers and their families.
The ISWAN Seminar 2024 offered valuable insights into enhancing welfare programs amidst the ongoing challenges faced by the industry. As we continue to drive positive change, stay informed with the latest updates at: www.iswan.org.uk/
27 May 2026
4 min read
ISWAN’s ambassador network continues to grow across regions, strengthening awareness and support for seafarers and their families worldwide.
21 May 2026
2 min read
A reflection on Prof. Jay A. Yacat’s keynote at ISWAN - Philippines' BAYANIHAN
4 May 2026
1 min read
ISWAN India Association has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime Association of Shipowners, Ship Managers and Agents (MASSA) to bring the "Together in Care" Shore Staff Wellbeing Workshop to more maritime professionals across India.
