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India’s maritime regulator, the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), has barred 366 foreign-flagged vessels from employing Indian seafarers following multiple cases of crew abandonment, unpaid wages, and welfare violations. The move is being viewed as one of the strongest enforcement actions taken by Indian authorities to safeguard the interests of Indian maritime workers and strengthen accountability in global shipping operations.
According to DG Shipping, the affected vessels were involved in serious breaches such as non-payment of salaries, denial of compensation in cases involving death or missing crew members, failure to arrange repatriation, and exposing seafarers to inhumane working conditions. The regulator classified 278 ships as “restricted” and 88 vessels as “blacklisted,” prohibiting Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) agencies from deploying Indian crew on these ships with immediate effect.
The directive also requires all RPSL agencies to submit details of Indian seafarers currently serving on these vessels within 14 days. The regulator stated that the action was necessary due to repeated violations of international maritime conventions and Indian seafarer welfare regulations.
India is among the world’s largest suppliers of maritime manpower, with thousands of Indian officers and ratings serving on foreign-going vessels across global trade routes. However, rising cases of abandonment have increasingly exposed vulnerabilities in international shipping oversight. Industry reports indicate that Indian seafarers accounted for the highest number of abandoned crew members globally in 2025, with over 1,100 Indians stranded aboard vessels due to financial disputes, sanctions-related disruptions, or shipowner insolvencies.
The crackdown also comes at a time when global shipping is facing mounting operational and geopolitical pressures, including disruptions in major maritime corridors and the growing use of “flags of convenience” by shipowners seeking lower regulatory scrutiny. Labour organisations and maritime unions have repeatedly called for stronger protections for seafarers, particularly in cases where shipowners evade wage obligations or abandon vessels in foreign ports.
For India’s supply chain and logistics ecosystem, the development signals a stronger compliance-driven approach in maritime employment practices. Analysts believe the decision could improve confidence among Indian seafarers while compelling foreign ship operators and recruitment agencies to adopt stricter labour and welfare standards. At the same time, the move reinforces India’s growing role in shaping global maritime governance and responsible shipping practices.
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Andhra Pradesh is seeking a larger role in future global shipping networks by positioning its ports and logistics infrastructure to benefit from emerging Arctic maritime routes and evolving international trade corridors, according to state IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh. Speaking at an international forum in Russia, Lokesh said shifts in global trade patterns, coupled with the gradual development of Arctic shipping lanes, could reshape cargo flows between Asia, Europe and North America over the coming decades. He said Andhra Pradesh intends to leverage its coastline, port infrastructure and industrial corridors to become an important node in these changing trade networks. The minister highlighted the state's strategic location on India's eastern seaboard, its deep-water ports and ongoing investments in logistics and industrial infrastructure. According to him, these assets place Andhra Pradesh in a favourable position to support international trade as supply chains diversify and new maritime routes gain commercial relevance. Arctic shipping routes have attracted increasing attention from governments and industry stakeholders because they can significantly reduce transit times between parts of Asia and Europe compared with traditional routes through the Suez Canal. While commercial adoption remains limited due to seasonal, environmental and geopolitical factors, logistics experts view the Arctic as a potential long-term supplement to existing global shipping corridors. Lokesh noted that Andhra Pradesh is pursuing a broader strategy centred on port-led industrialisation, logistics parks, multimodal connectivity and manufacturing growth. The state has been expanding its maritime infrastructure while promoting investments in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, technology, energy and export-oriented industries. The government is also strengthening links between ports, industrial clusters and transport networks to reduce logistics costs and improve cargo movement efficiency. These initiatives form part of Andhra Pradesh's ambition to establish itself as a major gateway for international trade and supply chain activities on India's east coast. Industry observers note that the growing focus on alternative trade corridors comes at a time when companies are reassessing supply chain resilience following disruptions caused by geopolitical tensions, climate-related events and congestion at key maritime chokepoints. As a result, governments and logistics providers are exploring additional routes and infrastructure investments to diversify global trade networks. For Andhra Pradesh, participation in emerging trade corridors could strengthen cargo volumes, attract industrial investment and reinforce the state's position as a logistics hub serving both domestic and international markets. If global shipping patterns continue to evolve, ports along India's eastern coast could play a more prominent role in connecting Asian production centres with markets across Europe and beyond. Follow CARGOCONNECT for more such updates.
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing visited Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), expressing keen interest in India’s maritime sector and port-led development initiatives. The visit underscores the growing importance of maritime cooperation in strengthening economic and logistics ties between the two neighbouring countries. During the visit, the Myanmar President and his delegation were briefed on JNPA’s operations, infrastructure capabilities, and future expansion plans. As India’s largest container port, JNPA plays a pivotal role in facilitating international trade and serves as a key gateway for cargo movement across South Asia, the Middle East, and global markets. Officials highlighted the port’s advanced cargo handling systems, multimodal connectivity, digitalisation initiatives, and sustainability-driven infrastructure development. The delegation also toured key facilities to gain firsthand insights into the port’s operational efficiency and logistics ecosystem. The visit comes at a time when India and Myanmar are looking to deepen economic engagement through enhanced connectivity and trade cooperation. Myanmar’s strategic location along the Bay of Bengal makes it a crucial partner in India’s Act East policy and broader efforts to improve regional supply chain integration. President Min Aung Hlaing reportedly expressed interest in learning from India’s experience in port modernization, maritime infrastructure development, and logistics management. He emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in the maritime sector to unlock greater trade opportunities and improve connectivity between the two countries. The discussions also touched upon the role of ports in supporting economic growth and regional integration. Industry observers note that stronger maritime collaboration could complement ongoing connectivity initiatives such as the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project, which aims to link India’s northeastern states with Myanmar through a combination of sea, river, and road transport networks. For India, closer maritime engagement with Myanmar offers opportunities to expand trade corridors in the Bay of Bengal region while enhancing supply chain resilience and access to Southeast Asian markets. For Myanmar, collaboration with Indian ports and logistics institutions could support efforts to modernize its maritime infrastructure and improve trade facilitation capabilities. The JNPA visit formed part of the Myanmar President’s broader official visit to India, during which both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in trade, connectivity, infrastructure development, and regional security. Analysts view the engagement as a positive signal for future collaboration in maritime logistics, port development, and cross-border supply chain networks. As regional trade patterns continue to evolve, deeper India-Myanmar maritime cooperation could play an important role in shaping more efficient and interconnected logistics corridors across the Bay of Bengal and the wider Indo-Pacific region. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
Adani-operated Vizhinjam International Seaport has achieved another significant milestone, recording its highest-ever monthly container throughput in May 2026 and reinforcing its position as one of India’s fastest-growing transshipment hubs. The port handled more than 130,000 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) during the month, surpassing its previous monthly records and underscoring the rapid growth trajectory of the deep-water facility. The achievement comes just days after Vizhinjam crossed the landmark of 2 million TEUs within 18 months of commencing operations, making it the fastest Indian port to reach this milestone. Located near one of the world’s busiest east-west shipping corridors, Vizhinjam has rapidly emerged as a strategic gateway for global container trade. Its natural deep draft and ability to accommodate ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) have attracted major international shipping lines, helping the port capture a growing share of transshipment cargo that traditionally moved through overseas hubs such as Colombo, Singapore and Dubai. Industry observers view the May performance as further evidence of the port’s increasing operational maturity. Since commercial operations began, Vizhinjam has consistently exceeded traffic projections, handling rising cargo volumes while improving vessel turnaround times and berth productivity. The facility has also welcomed some of the world’s largest container ships, highlighting its capability to support next-generation maritime logistics requirements. The port’s growth is particularly significant for India’s supply chain ecosystem. By expanding domestic transshipment capacity, Vizhinjam is expected to reduce dependence on foreign ports, lower logistics costs for exporters and importers, and strengthen India’s competitiveness in global trade. The development aligns with the country’s broader maritime strategy of enhancing port infrastructure and increasing cargo handling efficiency. Momentum is expected to continue as expansion plans gather pace. Adani Ports and the Kerala government are progressing with the next phase of development, which aims to significantly increase the port’s container handling capacity over the coming years. Enhanced automation, improved connectivity and additional infrastructure investments are expected to further boost throughput and operational efficiency. With record-breaking monthly volumes, a rapidly growing vessel base and the distinction of becoming the fastest Indian port to handle 2 million TEUs, Vizhinjam is steadily establishing itself as a critical node in regional and global supply chains. The port’s latest achievement marks another step in India’s emergence as a major maritime and transshipment powerhouse. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 CARGOCONNECT 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬!
