India’s shipping sector prepares for implications as ILO formalises wage increases through 2028; positive boost for seafarers, operational recalibration ahead for RPSL companies and Training Institutes
Maritime News, Geneva | India : In a landmark outcome for the global maritime labour force, the International Labour Organization (ILO) has officially concluded its latest round of minimum wage negotiations for seafarers, resulting in a structured wage increase for able seafarers through to 2028. The agreement was reached during the Subcommittee on Wages of Seafarers under the Joint Maritime Commission (JMC) held on April 14–15 in Geneva.
The negotiations brought together shipowners’ representatives coordinated by the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) and seafarers’ unions led by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
The Updated Global Minimum Wage Structure
- US$690 per month from 1 January 2026
- US$704 per month from 1 January 2027
- US$715 per month from 1 January 2028
This reflects a 6.2% increase over the current minimum of US$673, reaffirming the maritime sector’s commitment to fair labour practices amid rising global inflation and uncertain trade environments.
Industry Voices on the Agreement
Pål Tangen, Spokesperson for Shipowners (Norwegian Shipowners’ Association), stated:
“This resolution acknowledges the vital contribution of seafarers while maintaining balance with commercial sustainability in volatile markets.”
Mark Dickinson, representing Seafarers (Nautilus International), added:
“This is a much-needed recognition of seafarers’ value. Pay increases help retain talent and offer fair treatment to those who deliver 90% of the world’s goods.”
ILO Sectoral Policies Director Frank Hagemann concluded:
“This outcome goes beyond technical wage adjustments. It’s a reaffirmation of collective responsibility to decent work at sea.”
Impact on Indian Seafarers: A Long-Awaited Boost
India, home to over 250,000 active seafarers, stands to benefit significantly from this decision:
- Higher Earning Potential: Indian able seafarers will now have a globally recognised wage floor, improving take-home pay and remittance flows.
- Boost to Retention & Welfare: Wage hikes could reduce attrition and mental fatigue, encouraging more young Indians to join the profession.
- Fair Compensation for Tough Work: As the industry demands longer sea-time and more digital compliance, this is a timely morale boost.
However, challenges remain in:
- Monitoring enforcement of wage standards on non-ITF-flagged ships
- Ensuring transparent communication with Indian crews about wage entitlements
What It Means for RPSL Companies in India
India’s RPSL-certified recruitment and placement agencies must brace for key operational implications:
Opportunities:
- Improved candidate inflow as higher wages attract more cadets and experienced mariners
- Stronger global competitiveness for Indian seafarers under ITF contracts
- Enhanced compliance branding for RPSL agencies that strictly follow wage norms
Challenges:
- Contract realignment with foreign principals to reflect the new wage scale
- Increased cost burden in placement of crew, especially for budget operators
- Greater scrutiny from DG Shipping on MLC 2006 compliance and wage disbursal
“RPSL firms need to become proactive facilitators of fair wages—not just placement agents. Those who adapt swiftly will lead the transformation of India’s maritime manpower,” said Sunita Jaisingh Punia, Director, Easterling Ship Management a Mumbai-based RPSL.
Impact on Maritime Training Institutes
Upside Potential:
- Increased Enrollments: Better post-training pay boosts career attractiveness, reversing recent dips in admissions.
- Industry Relevance: Institutes can align their curriculum with enhanced MLC awareness, wage protection rights, and IMO convention updates.
- New Role in Advocacy: As awareness hubs, they can educate cadets on fair wage expectations and redressal mechanisms.
What They Need to Do:
- Upgrade training to include labour rights, wage structures, and international maritime law.
- Forge stronger ties with RPSL companies and shipowners to create transparent placement pipelines.
- Serve as watchdogs against sub-standard contractual practices, especially for freshers and ratings.
A Maritime Industry at a Crossroads
This development follows last week’s ILO decision to formally designate seafarers as ‘key workers’, a status that grants them priority access to medical care, shore leave, and repatriation rights globally.
However, stakeholders remain cautious as trade war tensions and economic headwinds may impact hiring and voyage frequency.
Still, the consensus remains clear: seafarers cannot be collateral damage in global crises.
What’s Next?
- The Resolution will be formally adopted by the 355th ILO Governing Body in November 2025.
- Once ratified, wage adjustments will be enforceable from January 2026.
- National authorities, including India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), are expected to update compliance norms accordingly.
Navigating a Fairer Future for Maritime Labour
With this wage revision and recent designation of seafarers as ‘key workers’ under the MLC, the global maritime sector is finally acknowledging the real human cost behind moving 90% of the world’s goods.
Yet the responsibility now lies with:
- Shipowners to respect this baseline
- Governments to enforce it
- Training institutes to empower future seafarers
- RPSL agencies to honour it in word and deed
As global trade weathers geopolitical turbulence, one truth remains: without seafarers, there is no shipping. And without fair wages, there is no future for the men and women who sail the world’s oceans.
From port cities to training classrooms, the course is now set—towards dignity, equity, and decent work at sea.
With the wage floor now raised and India positioning itself as a global seafaring hub, this is a pivotal moment for all maritime actors—from cadets at training academies to CEOs of ship management firms.
The message from Geneva is resounding:
Fair seas must also mean fair pay.
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