Shore leave a welfare issue for Indian seafarers: South Goa MP to Centre

Panaji: South Goa MP Viriato Fernandes has written to Union minister for ports, shipping and waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, urging Centre to address a range of long-standing gaps in maritime welfare, particularly from the indignity faced by Indian seafarers denied shore leave at domestic ports.

Fernandes has also presented Sonowal a five-point proposal to overhaul Goa’s maritime infrastructure. The proposals, prepared in consultation with maritime professionals and the Goa Maritime Officers Association, cover five key areas and are framed around both welfare imperatives and Goa’s strategic potential as a maritime hub.

At the centre of Fernandes’ letter is the issue of shore leave. “Facilitating shore leave is not merely an administrative matter; it is a humanitarian and welfare issue directly linked to mental well-being, maritime safety, and the dignity of seafarers who spend extended periods at sea,” the MP wrote, calling for urgent intervention by the ministry.

On infrastructure, Fernandes has proposed the full operationalisation of the mercantile marine department (MMD) office in Goa, including the posting of a principal officer and the conducting of all certificate of competency examinations locally. Such a step, he argues, would reduce the administrative burden on maritime professionals who currently must travel to other cities.

The establishment of an Indian Maritime University campus in Goa, along with a degree programme in Naval Architecture, featured prominently in the proposals. Fernandes argued that such institutions would strengthen skill development, generate employment for local youth, and support India’s expanding shipbuilding and ship repair sectors.

The Congress MP also called for a Seamen’s Club at Mormugao Port, noting that Goa receives thousands of seafarers annually as a growing cruise tourism destination, yet offers no shore-based welfare or recreational facilities.

Given that Goa’s seafaring tradition stretches back generations, Fernandes said the proposals aim to ensure that legacy is matched by institutions and infrastructure.