About Us

The Maritime Association of Shipowners Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) is a non-profit making body of Shipowners, Shipmanagers and their Agents, registered as a Section 25 company, under the Companies Act, 1956 and based in Mumbai. Members include companies which have a long association with Indian Manning and are identified as traditional employers of Indian Officers and Ratings.

MASSA is an independent organization which enjoys an excellent rapport and working relationship with the Government of India Ministry of Shipping & Director General of Shipping, Indian Shipowners and allied shipping interests, the National Union of Seafarers of India, Forward Seamens Union of India and the Maritime Union of India. MASSA is represented in various statutory bodies in the Shipping industry.

MASSA has formed a Trust in 1994 named Maritime Training and Research Foundation (MTRF) which has been setup by MASSA Members to receive employers donation and utilize the same towards building infrastructure and for the Mariner to enhance their carrier in the Shipping Industry.

MTRF has two Institutes namely MASSA Maritime Academy (MMA) at C.B.D. Belapur, Navi Mumbai, and MASSA Maritime Academy (MMA) at Chennai.

The origin of MASSA dates back to 1947 when it was established under the name of Owners/Agents’ Committee (Crews). Since its inception, it has played a pivotal role in formulating a unified policy regarding the employment of Indian seamen. Some of the MASSA members have employed Indian officers and ratings for over 4/5 decades and have extensive shipping interests in India.

MASSA provides a forum for Member Lines, Indian and Foreign and their local agents and shipmanagers to interact with the Government and Unions in all matters relating to employment, training and welfare of seamen.

MASSA is represented on various statutory bodies such as Seamen’s Employment Board, National Welfare Board for seafarers etc., and such autonomous Bodies/Organizations as Board of Trustees, Seamans Provident fund, Seafarers Welfare fund society etc and other bipartite and tripartite Bodies and committees such as National Maritime board (India), Maritime Employment Board (India), Indian Maritime University, NMBRT etc.

The MASSA is the Secretariat of National Maritime Board (India).

MASSA is actively involved in:

Facilitating, Promoting and Protection the business activities of member lines.

Liaising with national, international, governmental and non-governmental organisation as well as seafarers recognized unions on behalf of members lines.

MASSA, endeavours to be a leading Association, to:

Augment and safeguard business interest of memberlines primarily related to recruitment and placement services.

Assist in development of infrastructure which helps business interest of memberlines, primarily related to employment of seafarers onboard ships.

Liaise with National and International organizations to support the supply and demand of quality seafarers and recruitment and placement services in India

Share information and knowledge on various issues so that Member lines and Maritime authorities can make appropriate discussions.