The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, will inaugurate the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) Patna and the Seafarers’ Outreach Centre on 27 February 2026. The programme will also mark the formal commencement of redevelopment works at Nabik Griha Samity and Marine Club Kolkata.
The inaugural ceremony will be graced by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways as Chief Guest, along with the Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Director General of Shipping as Guests of Honour. The Additional Director General of Shipping will also be present.
The establishment of MMD Patna and the Seafarers’ Outreach Centre represents a significant step towards strengthening regulatory outreach and welfare support in Eastern India. The new facilities will offer certification services, documentation assistance, grievance redressal, and welfare facilitation, particularly benefiting seafarers from Bihar and neighbouring regions.
The event will be followed by a full-day Symposium on “Seafarers’ Recruitment & Welfare” from 09:00 AM to 05:30 PM at Hotel Raajkutir, Kolkata – IHCL SeleQtions. The symposium is expected to host 150–250 participants from across the maritime sector and will feature two focused panel discussions:
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Seafarer Casualties: Rights, Relief and Responsibility
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Seafarers’ Abandonment and Welfare
The programme aims to foster meaningful dialogue among regulators, industry stakeholders, unions, and welfare organisations, reinforcing DGS’s commitment to inclusive maritime development and to safeguarding the welfare, dignity, and rights of Indian seafarers.