The body, part of the shipping ministry, has proposed the setting up of an Indian Maritime Service (IMS) to address the lack of qualified seafarers, the Hindu Business Line reported.

NSB has approved a proposal to acquire a tanker and a bulker for trading and on-board training.

These will cost INR 3.5bn ($56.46m) combined, possibly through a one-off grant.

The ships will be controlled by the Indian Maritime University.