India, Korea to sign pact for seafarers to work on Korean ships: Gadkari

The Dollar Business Bureau

Union Minister of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways and Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation Nitin Gadkari said on Sunday that India and South Korea are set to strengthen their relations in the field of shipping and ports and will sign an agreement that will facilitate Indian seafarers to work on Korean ships.

“The undertaking with the Republic of Korea for mutual recognition of Certificate of Competency (CoC) will be beneficial to both the countries as Korea is a large ship owning nation while India is a large seafaring nation with around 1,54,349 Indian seafarers,” the Minister said before leaving for Seoul.

Gadkari will be on a four-day official visit to South Korea from April 9, 2018.

“This agreement will facilitate Indian seafarers to work on Korean ships as there is requirement of seafarers on their ships. Korean entities as of now own more than 500 foreign going ships,” said Gadkari.

“This will lead to increase in the employment opportunity for Indian seafarers,” he added.

The Minister said that the mutual recognition of CoC of seafarers is a vital step for the two countries.

“Signing of the pact will pave the way for recognition of maritime education and training, training documentary evidence, endorsements, certificates of competency and medical fitness certificates for seafarers to be issued by both the governments,” he said.

“We are looking to have partnership in the field of ship building, water conservation & recycling, eco-friendly energy system for marine industries, smart transportation system and technology for developing our rivers in order to drive economic growth,” Gadkari said.

The aim of Gadkari’s visit is to boost ties between the two countries and further strengthen cooperation in the fields of sharing of technology, building and engineering projects of mutual interest, experience in port development and operation and joint participation in port-related construction, etc.

During his visit, he will also focus on boosting bilateral cooperation between the two nations in sectors including shipping, inland waterways, ports, highways, river interlinking and infrastructure.