Oil Exploration Workers Scarce in India, NUSI Asks for Help

Deroff Faced with a lack of training of maritime workers in oil exploration projects in India, the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) has asked the Indian Ministry of Shipping for financial help.  The National Shipping Board for training and maritime workforce at NUSI Offshore Training Institute (NOTI) trains the workforce operating special vessels, or small-sized ships that cater to various needs of oil exploration activities. Currently, an offshore maritime workforce catering to oil exploration activities is scarce in India, mainly due to the lack of world-class training facilities in our country, said NUSIs General Secretary, Abdulgani Serang. Serang also noted that due to the expected boost on the oil exploration front, it is not permissible for the NUSI to let non-Indian maritime workforce fill the future vacancies. India is confronted with the shortage in training of offshore workers especially due to inadequate training facilities, lack of onboard practice, and lack of compliance with new regulations in the international maritime industry. The plunge of oil prices and the offshore oil and gas industry has brought about a wide range of job cuts across the board while companies struggled to axe costs. Lack of trained personnel in India could mean a wide influx of foreign workers as offshore workers pursue careers elsewhere.