The Centre has approved the establishment of a Seafarers’ Welfare Centre at Mormugao Port, with financial assistance of ₹13 crore from the Seafarers Welfare Fund Society, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has informed South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes.
Sonowal said the proposal to upgrade the Surveyor-in-Charge, Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) Goa, to the post of Principal Officer will be considered under the ongoing cadre restructuring proposal from the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to the proposed Directorate General of Maritime Affairs (DGMA).
On establishing an Indian Maritime University (IMU) presence in Goa, the Minister said an existing maritime training institute or college of repute in the state is being considered for affiliation with IMU.
The Ministry has also taken steps to streamline immigration procedures at port immigration posts to address shore leave issues faced by Indian seafarers.
The issues raised by Fernandes included a Principal Officer and full operationalisation of MMD Goa, an IMU campus in Goa, shore leave facilities for Indian seafarers, a Seamen’s Club at Mormugao Port, and introduction of a degree programme in Naval Architecture.