Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), SarbanandaSonowal inaugurated the platform during a national stakeholder interaction on “Seafarer Security, Safety and Welfare and Inauguration of E-Samudra”, held in  Mumbai  and  organised by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) under the Ministry.Alongside E-Samudra, DGMAshowcased a series of initiatives aimed at modernising maritime administration and improving seafarer welfare. These included 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).

Addressing the gathering, Sonowal said the transformation of India’s maritime sector under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi places seafarers at the centre of the country’s long-term growth strategy.

“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is pursuing an ambitious transformation of the maritime sector through Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime AmritKaal Vision 2047. Seafarers remain at the heart of this journey. Our commitment is clear: every Indian seafarer must be safe, respected and supported. As India strengthens its position as a global maritime power, we must ensure that those who power this growth work fearlessly, safely and with dignity,” SarbanandaSonowal said.Highlighting India’s growing maritime capabilities, the minister said the country has emerged as the second-largest supplier of seafarers globally and expressed confidence that India would soon become the world’s largest supplier. He also noted 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.On the launch of the digital platform, SarbanandaSonowal said, ”E-Samudra is not merely a technology platform; it is a significant step towards making maritime governance simpler, more transparent and more stakeholder-centric. Technology is meaningful only when it improves the lives of people. Through E-Samudra, we are ensuring Ease of Living for our seafarers and Ease of Doing Business for the maritime sector.”Secretary, MoPSW, Vijay Kumar said India’s maritime policy is now anchored in three pillars, the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, which recognises seafarers as Key Workers, the Maritime AmritKaal Vision 2047, and the principle of Minimum Government, Maximum Governance.The event brought together representatives of the maritime industry, seafarer organisations, recruitment and placement agencies, maritime training institutes, shipowners, government agencies and maritime professionals from across the country.“E-Samudra will bring maritime services into a single digital window with end-to-end workflows, online payments, real-time tracking and digitally issued certificates. Our objective is not merely to put processes online, but to make them predictable, transparent and time-bound,” Kumar said.India’s active seafarer workforce has grown from about 1.03 lakh in 2013 to more than 3.23 lakh in 2025, underscoring the need to strengthen digital service delivery, regulation and welfare for the country’s rapidly expanding maritime workforce.Director General of Maritime Administration Shri ShyamJagannathandescribed E-Samudra as a transformational platform that shifts maritime administration from a physical office-based model to Digital First and Faceless Governance.“E-Samudra transforms maritime administration from a physical office-based model into an integrated digital ecosystem. It represents a transition towards Digital First and Faceless Governance, ensuring that a seafarer onboard a vessel can access government services as easily as someone sitting ashore,” he said.The event also highlighted DGMA’s response to recent geopolitical disruptions affecting global shipping. According to the ministry, 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.Officials also highlighted initiatives such as Sagar Mein Yog, promoting the physical and mental wellbeing of seafarers, and Sagar Mein Samman, aimed at strengthening opportunities and support for women seafarers. The ministry said the number of women seafarers has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting greater inclusivity in the maritime workforce.

During the programme, Sonowal also interacted with representatives of recruitment and placement services, maritime stakeholders, cadets and young maritime professionals, discussing issues related to recruitment, employment, welfare, regulatory compliance and career development. He urged the next generation of Indian seafarers to uphold the values of safety, professionalism, dignity and continuous learning while assuring them of the government’s continued support.

The launch of E-Samudra marks a significant milestone in India’s transition towards technology-enabled, transparent and citizen-centric maritime governance. By integrating multiple services on a common digital platform, the government expects to improve service delivery, reduce compliance burdens, strengthen transparency and reinforce India’s position as a leading global maritime nation.