Maritime education must evolve in step with the rapidly changing demands of the global shipping industry, according to Harindarpal S. Banga, Chairman and CEO of The Caravel Group.
Speaking on the future of maritime training, Banga emphasized that academic institutions need to better align their curricula with real-world operational requirements. With the industry undergoing a transformation driven by decarbonisation, digitalisation, and automation, he noted that traditional teaching methods are no longer sufficient.
He highlighted the urgent need for maritime institutes to invest in advanced simulators and adopt future-ready training frameworks. His remarks come in the wake of Caravel Group’s acquisition of the International Maritime Institute, aimed at strengthening maritime education and workforce readiness.
Caravel Group has a significant footprint across shipping, commodities, and investment management. Its subsidiary, Fleet Management Ltd, employs over 20,000 Indian seafarers, making it one of the largest suppliers of maritime workforce from India. The group manages, operates, or owns more than 650 vessels, collectively transporting nearly 150 million tonnes of cargo annually.
Banga stressed that as vessel operations become increasingly technology-driven, training systems must rapidly integrate new competencies—particularly in areas such as green fuel adoption—to prepare seafarers for next-generation ships.
Addressing geopolitical risks, he also underscored the importance of seafarer safety amid rising tensions in critical shipping routes, especially around the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding waters.
