New Delhi, July 29 -- India has become the world's second-largest supplier of seafarers, overtaking China, Russia and Indonesia, according to the BIMCO-ICS Seafarer Workforce Report 2026.

The report said India now contributes 311,936 seafarers, accounting for 12.16 per cent of the global maritime workforce, behind only the Philippines.

The milestone marks a significant rise over the past decade. In 2015, India accounted for just 5.2 per cent of the global seafaring workforce and ranked fifth worldwide. By 2021, its share had increased modestly to 6 per cent, while retaining the fifth position. The latest report shows India's share has more than doubled since then, propelling it to second place globally.

India's strength is particularly...