The International Transport Workers’ Federation, alongside maritime unions from India, is bringing a major international seafarers’ event to India with the 2026 ITF Seafarers’ Expo, taking place this week in Mumbai.
Where: Princess Dock, Mumbai Port Trust, Mazgaon, Mumbai
When: 1100 – 1730 daily, 29 – 31 January 2025
Thousands of Indian seafarers are set to attend the ITF’s Seafarers’ Expo, a unique three-day event bringing together seafarers, trade unions, seafarer welfare organisations,shipping companies and government shipping authorities.
ITF Maritime Coordinator Jacqueline Smith said: “We’re delighted to be holding our 2026 Seafarers’ Expo event in one of the world’s most important seafaring nations – India. Seafarers move the world and Indian seafarers are critical to keeping global trade moving, crewing ships across the world and ensuring supply chains function every day.
“Sadly, we are seeing Indian seafarers get hit hard by abuses of their rights. That’s precisely why the Expo is so important. Seafarers will be able to speak directly to experts from across the maritime industry and learn about issues ranging from seafarer abandonment to dealing with crewing agents, through to how the industry is navigating rapid changes linked to sustainability and a just transition.”
Alongside enabling Indian seafarers to learn more about their rights and how to find the support and advice they need, the Expo is also geared toward fun, with games, free food and refreshments.
All three of the ITF’s affiliated maritime unions in India – the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI), the Maritime Union of India (MUI), the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI) – have co-organised the Expo. Alongside the unions, the Government of India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) will be in attendance, with India’s Director General of Shipping, Shri Shyam Jagannathan, due to speak at the opening of the Expo on Thursday 29 January.
The Expo comes shortly after the ITF released its 2025 seafarer abandonment statistics, which showed Indian seafarers are the worst affected nationality, as they also were in 2024.
However, the Indian Government is taking pioneering action to protect seafarers: at the end of 2025, DG Shipping took the globally unprecedented step of blacklisting 86 vessels involved in abuses of seafarers’ rights, including ensuring Indian seafarers are not placed on blacklisted ships. This kind of decisive intervention demonstrates that abuse is not inevitable – it is the result of choices, and governments can choose to enforce accountability. The ITF welcomes the move and encourages other national governments to follow suit.
Call for Seafarers to Attend
The ITF is calling on seafarers and their families across India to register and attend the Expo. Attendance is free, and advance registration will ensure your place. Seafarers, click here to register.
Media Invitation – Day One
Media are invited to attend the Expo, particularly on Day 1 (Thursday 29 January) where opening speeches are scheduled for midday from the ITF General Secretary, India’s Director General of Shipping, and union leaders from across the maritime sector. The opening session will be followed by opportunities for interviews with speakers and union representatives.
Media wishing to attend should email media@itf.org.uk to register for a press pass.
ENDS
Notes to Editor
- The last Seafarers’ Expo was held in Manila, Philippines, in 2023. It was attended by more than 4,000 seafarers over a three-day period.
- Organisations hosting stalls for seafarers at the event include: the ITF; the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI); the Maritime Union of India (MUI); the Forward Seamen's Union of India (FSUI); the Norwegian Seafarers' Union (NSU); the All-Japan Seamen's Union (JSU); German union, Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (ver.di); the Mission to Seafarers; the Foreign Owners’ Representatives and Ship Managers Association (FOSMA); International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN); Indian National Shipowners' Association (INSA); Directorate General of Shipping, India.
- In September 2025, India’s Directorate General of Shipping announced it would take action against 86 vessels linked to recurrent occurrences of seafarer abandonment. These include: “... recruiting and placement agencies cease the recruitment of Indian seafarers for the identified blacklisted vessels. They are also instructed to facilitate the prompt sign-off of Indian crew members at the nearest port and ensure their safe repatriation to India, along with the fulfilment of entitled wages and welfare provisions. The agencies must submit reports within 14 days, detailing the status and wages of seafarers on the affected vessels, as well as any outstanding payments. Failure to comply could lead to the suspension or revocation of their licenses." See here.
