New Delhi, Seoul ink key pacts: Indian seafarers will now be able to sail on Korean ships

Union Minister of Shipping Nitin Gadkari during his visit to South Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will open up employment opportunities for Indian seafarers on Korean ships.

If the MoU is taken forward, it will help Indian seafarers to get employed onboard over 500 Korean ships.

“India signed an MoU with the Republic of Korea on Mutual Recognition of Certificates of Competency of Seafarers. This paves the way for the two governments to mutually recognize the certificates of maritime education and training, competency, endorsements and medical fitness of seafarers issued by each other. The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Busan,” read Ministry of Shipping’s statement.

Speaking on the occasion Gadkari said that the signing of the agreement will benefit both countries. Korea is a large ship owning nation. As of now, Korean entities own more than 500 foreign going ships, and need seafarers to work on their fleet. India has around 1,54,349 seafarers.

Gadkari is on a four day visit to the Republic of Korea, his visit aims at strengthening the bilateral cooperation between the two countries in shipping, ports, inland waterways, highways, river interlinking and infrastructure sectors.