The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Recruitment of seafarers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Aug 26, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Recruitment of seafarers

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: The Geneva-based Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., having a fleet of 255 container vessels, including the largest container ship MSC Pamela, plans to recruit Indian seafarers to man 100 vessels. The company, whose Italian owners also have interest in passenger ships, estimates its bi-annual manpower requirement to be 25 for each of the 100 vessels. Stating this to presspersons on Tuesday last, S. Ilamathivanan, manager of MSC Ship Management, the Indian arm of the company, said the plan was to fully man the vessels with Indian crew and engineers.

The company was keen to recruit Indian seafarers, as they were known for their "dedication, presence of mind and commitment." In tune with this, MSC, for whom the main port of call in the country is Mumbai, has set up offices at the four metros and Kochi.

One of the reasons behind MSC's recruitment plans is its decision to expand the fleet.

It has placed order for 48 new container ships, with their capacity ranging from 5,000 to 9,200 TEUs (twenty foot equivalent units), which are expected to be delivered by 2007. The Indian arm has initiated the process of training 100 sea cadets.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu