SAGAR MEIN SAMMAN (SMS)
Empowering Women at Sea through Safety, Dignity & Equality
Introduction & Background
The Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) initiative, conceptualised and led by the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), is a flagship programme aimed at promoting gender inclusion, equality and welfare within India's maritime sector. It was launched in alignment with DGMA Order No. 18 of 2024 and is anchored in the national priorities set out under the Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030, which identifies human capital development, workforce expansion and inclusive growth as key drivers for transforming India into a leading global maritime nation.
MIV 2030 specifically calls for enhancing women's participation in the maritime workforce, recognising that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to improving sectoral efficiency, innovation and global competitiveness
Within this framework, SMS functions as a targeted intervention mechanism, addressing the structural, cultural and workplace barriers that have historically limited women's entry, retention and career progression across maritime roles, including training, employment and professional advancement.
The initiative is also aligned with the broader objectives of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to promote gender equality and enhance the participation of women across the global maritime sector. In particular, SMS supports the spirit of IMO's Women in Maritime Programme and the International Day for Women in Maritime by encouraging equal opportunity, professional development, safe working environments, leadership participation and greater visibility of women within the maritime industry.
Women seafarers continue to be significantly under-represented across the Indian maritime workforce. SMS is therefore designed to move gender inclusion from an isolated welfare objective to a measurable maritime governance priority by establishing structured standards for safety, dignity, equal opportunity and career advancement for women at sea and in allied maritime roles. This is pursued through a combination of policy reform, sensitization, capacity building, welfare measures and compliance monitoring, providing DGMA with a consistent framework for institutional oversight, implementation and accountability.
Why SMS Matters
12%
Target for women's participation in technical maritime roles by 2030
Aligned with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work & Inclusive Growth)
Linked with India's long-term maritime vision under Maritime India Vision (MIV) 2030
Vision
To build an inclusive, safe, equitable and enabling maritime ecosystem in which women are provided equal opportunities to participate, progress and lead across all levels of the maritime sector.
- Increase women's participation across maritime careers.
- Promote safe, dignified and gender-responsive workplaces.
- Strengthen career progression and leadership opportunities.
- Address institutional, infrastructure and policy-related barriers.
- Promote gender sensitisation across the maritime ecosystem.
- Develop sustainable training, mentorship and support mechanisms.
- Strengthen monitoring and institutional accountability.
- Encourage greater awareness of maritime careers among young women.
Strategic Objectives
Inclusivity & Equal Opportunity
Promote equal access to education, training, employment and professional opportunities for women across the maritime sector.
Safety & Well-being
Strengthen mechanisms to ensure dignity, workplace safety, grievance redressal and appropriate support systems for women maritime professionals.
Skill Development & Training
Develop structured programmes for professional development, gender sensitisation, leadership and capacity building.
Empowerment & Leadership
Create pathways for women to progress into senior, managerial and leadership positions within maritime organisations.
Policy & Institutional Strengthening
Identify policy and institutional gaps and facilitate development of appropriate frameworks supporting gender inclusion.
Outreach & Awareness
Promote maritime careers among women through engagement with educational institutions, training institutes, industry and maritime communities.
Monitoring & Evaluation
Establish measurable outcomes and monitoring mechanisms to assess the progress and impact of the initiative.
Journey of Sagar Mein Samman - Phase I
27 November 2024
Establishment of the Initiative
The institutional foundation of Sagar Mein Samman was established through DGS Order No. 18 of 2024 dated 27 November 2024, providing for the establishment of the Task Force for Women in Maritime. The initiative commenced with stakeholder engagement, policy review, research, consultations and identification of issues affecting women in maritime.
18 May 2025
International Day for Women in Maritime
Sagar Mein Samman entered an important stage of stakeholder engagement and public outreach during the International Day for Women in Maritime - 2025. Phase I focused on understanding existing challenges, reviewing policies and practices, stakeholder engagement, awareness and development of the institutional foundation for the initiative.
Five-Year Action Framework (2025-2030)
The Sagar Mein Samman Five-Year Action Framework (2025-2030) provides a structured roadmap for progressively strengthening gender equality and women's participation within the Indian maritime sector. The Framework moves SMS from initial stakeholder engagement and policy assessment towards institutional integration, capacity building, leadership development and long-term sustainability.
Year 1 | 2025-26
Charting the Course
Focus: Foundation Building & Awareness
- Establishment and strengthening of SMS brand identity and digital presence.
- Gender-sensitisation initiatives across maritime stakeholders.
- Development of the Maritime Gender Inclusion Policy framework.
- Awareness programmes involving male seafarers and maritime stakeholders.
- Identification of policy, infrastructure and institutional gaps.
- Outreach programmes in schools and colleges to encourage maritime careers among women.
- Stakeholder engagement and development of the institutional foundation for subsequent implementation.
Outcome: Establishing the foundation for a structured and sustainable gender-inclusive maritime ecosystem.
Year 2 | 2026-27
Anchoring Integration
Focus: Policy Implementation & System Integration
- Development and implementation of a National Maritime Gender Framework.
- Development of a Zero Tolerance Policy.
- Development of a Model Code of Conduct for Seafarers.
- Strengthening gender-responsive infrastructure and facilities.
- Pilot implementation through selected maritime organisations.
- Development of gender-sensitisation and training modules.
- Integration of appropriate gender-related modules into DGMA-approved maritime training programmes.
- Strengthening institutional governance, monitoring and implementation mechanisms.
Outcome: Integration of gender inclusion principles into maritime institutions, policies, training and operational systems.
Year 3 | 2027-28
Expanding Horizons
Focus: Scale Expansion & Inclusion
- Scholarship and sponsorship programmes supporting women in maritime.
- Collaboration with international organisations, including the IMO, and relevant maritime networks.
- Engagement with progressive maritime nations and international institutions.
- Promotion of the campaign "Women at Sea - Equal Partners in Progress."
- Publication of periodic progress and impact reports.
- Expansion of women-focused maritime education and training opportunities.
- Encouragement of dedicated training opportunities and women-focused batches at Maritime Training Institutes.
Outcome: Wider participation, international collaboration and expansion of opportunities for women in maritime.
Year 4 | 2028-29
Leading the Way
Focus: Leadership, Recognition & Institutional Maturity
- Leadership development programmes for women maritime professionals.
- Organisation of the National Sagar Mein Samman Conclave.
- Recognition of women achievers and maritime organisations demonstrating leadership in gender inclusion.
- Development of a compendium highlighting women achievers contributing towards India's maritime growth.
- Development of the SMS Toolkit containing guidance, best practices and institutional resources for gender inclusion.
Outcome: Strengthening women's representation in maritime leadership and establishing models of good practice across the sector.
Year 5 | 2029-30
Sustaining the Transformation
Focus: Institutionalisation & Global Outreach
- Finalisation and institutionalisation of the Sagar Mein Samman Toolkit.
- Publication of a comprehensive Global Showcase / Impact Report.
- Integration of suitable gender-inclusive provisions within maritime education, training and institutional frameworks.
- Institutionalisation of an annual Sagar Mein Samman Week.
- Assessment of progress against relevant national maritime development objectives.
- Development of mechanisms to ensure continuity beyond the Five-Year Action Framework.
Outcome: Establishing a sustainable and institutionalised framework for gender equality within the Indian maritime sector.
Sagar Mein Samman - Phase II
With the completion of the foundational stage, SMS has progressed into Phase II, focusing on implementation, institutional strengthening, measurable outcomes and long-term integration across the maritime ecosystem. Dedicated Sub-Committees have been constituted to develop actionable recommendations, programmes and implementation mechanisms.
Institutional Framework & Governance Committee
Strengthening governance structure, policy framework, institutional responsibilities and coordination mechanisms.
Training Modules Development Committee
Developing structured training and sensitisation content to support gender-inclusive practices across maritime stakeholders.
Capacity Building Committee
Developing capacity-building programmes, trainer development and stakeholder sensitisation.
Outreach Committee
Stakeholder engagement, awareness, educational outreach and broader communication of SMS objectives and activities.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Review Committee (MERC)
Developing monitoring mechanisms, common performance measurement approaches and reviewing implementation progress and outcomes.
Key Areas of Intervention
- Entry into maritime education and employment.
- Recruitment and retention.
- Gender-responsive maritime infrastructure.
- Workplace safety and dignity.
- Prevention of discrimination and harassment.
- Grievance redressal mechanisms.
- Training and professional development.
- Mentorship and counselling.
- Career progression.
- Leadership representation.
- Work-life balance and retention challenges.
- Institutional policies and implementation gaps.
- Awareness and perception of maritime careers.
- Data collection, monitoring and impact assessment.
Training & Capacity Building
Training and capacity building constitute an important component of the SMS framework. The initiative envisages development of structured programmes covering:
Gender Sensitisation
Workplace Conduct & Professional Behaviour
Prevention of Harassment and Discrimination
Leadership & Career Progression
Mentorship & Professional Development
Safety, Dignity & Well-being
Institutional Responsibility
Grievance Awareness
Inclusive Workplace Practices
Training mechanisms and delivery models will be progressively developed in accordance with the implementation requirements of the Five-Year Action Framework.
Outreach & Stakeholder Engagement
Sagar Mein Samman adopts a whole-of-maritime-sector approach involving:
Women Seafarers
Maritime Professionals
Maritime Training Institutes
Shipping Companies
Ports
Maritime Organisations
Seafarers' Unions
Welfare Organisations
Educational Institutions
Industry Associations
Government Bodies
National & International Maritime Organisations
Special outreach initiatives are also envisaged in schools, colleges and maritime clusters to increase awareness of maritime career opportunities among young women.
Institutional & Financial Support
Implementation of the Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) initiative is supported through collaboration between the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), maritime stakeholders and partner organisations.
Financial Support for Women Seafarers
Financial support of ₹1,00,000 has been made available through the Maritime Training Trust (MTT) to promote women seafarers and encourage greater participation of women in maritime education and careers.
Funding Partner
The Maritime Union of India (MUI) supports the Sagar Mein Samman initiative as its Funding Partner, contributing towards the implementation of programmes, activities, outreach and other initiatives undertaken under SMS.
This collaborative approach strengthens the implementation of the Five-Year Action Framework and supports the broader objective of creating an inclusive, safe and equitable maritime sector for women.
Governance & Monitoring
The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) acts as the facilitating agency for Sagar Mein Samman and coordinates implementation of the initiative across the maritime domain.
Clearly defined responsibilities
Measurable action points
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Periodic progress review
Inter-committee coordination
Stakeholder feedback
Data-based monitoring
Long-term impact assessment
Expected Outcomes
- Increased participation of women across maritime careers.
- Improved recruitment and retention.
- Safer and more inclusive maritime workplaces.
- Stronger gender-responsive institutional policies.
- Improved infrastructure and support mechanisms.
- Structured training and sensitisation programmes.
- Enhanced mentorship and career progression opportunities.
- Greater representation of women in maritime leadership.
- Improved institutional accountability and monitoring.
- Increased awareness of maritime careers among young women.
- Sustainable integration of gender inclusion across India's maritime ecosystem.
Our Commitment
Sagar Mein Samman represents DGMA's commitment to progressing from policy to measurable action.
Through collaboration between Government, industry, maritime institutions, seafarers, unions, welfare organisations and other stakeholders, the initiative seeks to establish a maritime ecosystem in which every woman has the opportunity to enter, participate, progress and lead with dignity, safety and equality.
Sagar Mein Samman — From Policy to Progress - Advancing Gender Equality
Official Social Media Links
YouTube
@SagarMeinSammanX (Twitter)
SagarMeinSammanSagar Mein Samman
| No. of Year | Title | Issue Date | Download/View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brochures of Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) | 08-Aug-2026 | View (32.88 MB) PDF | |
| International Day For Women in Maritime 2026 Samudra Lehar – Bhandarkar Shipping | 22-May-2026 | View (24.48 MB) PDF | |
| 5 Year Action Framework Sagar Mein Samman | 19-May-2026 | View (3.83 MB) PDF | |
| International Day for Women in Maritime 2026 | 18-May-2026 | View (2.98 MB) PDF | |
| 18 of 2024 | Establishment of Task Force for Women in Maritime for nurturing and supporting the Directorate's initiative of Sagar Mein Samman | 27-Nov-2024 | View (3.21 MB) PDF |
