Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: VR Maritime Services Pvt. Ltd., a leading name in crew management and maritime services, inaugurated its new Goa office on Friday, marking a significant milestone in the company’s strategic expansion across India. The new office reflects VR Maritime’s steady growth and its continued commitment to providing direct access, enhanced support, and better career opportunities to Indian seafarers, particularly those from Goa.
The Goa office was formally inaugurated by Capt. Sanjay Prashar, Chief Executive Officer, and Sonika Prashar, Managing Director, in the esteemed presence of distinguished guests from the maritime, legal, educational, and public service sectors. The expansion aligns with the company’s long-term vision of establishing field offices across key maritime regions of India, enabling closer engagement with seafarers and stakeholders.
Speaking on the occasion, Capt. Sanjay Prashar emphasized that Goa’s strong maritime heritage and globally recognized seafaring talent make it a natural choice for VR Maritime’s expansion. The new office will facilitate direct recruitment, training, and welfare support, strengthening relationships with local seafarers and contributing meaningfully to regional development.
The inauguration ceremony was marked by a traditional Lamp-Lighting ceremony, symbolizing unity, transparency, and community bonding. The event was attended by staff members, seafarers, and notable guests, including Narendra Sawaikar (former MP, Goa), Capt. Viriato Fernandes (MP, Goa), Capt. Imaculado Avalon Barros Colaco (Captain Superintendent, NUSI Maritime Academy), and Shivram Kamat (Director, Institute of Maritime Studies, Goa).
Over the years, VR Maritime Services Pvt. Ltd. has emerged as a benchmark in crew management, currently managing crews on over 200 ships worldwide. The company employs a workforce of more than 6,000 seafarers, with 2,200+ personnel actively sailing, and maintains an impressive seafarer retention rate of approximately 95%, reflecting its fair practices and people-centric approach.
The Goa office will be headed by Capt. Francisco A. J. Gouveia, a seasoned Master Mariner with 45 years of extensive maritime experience. Under his leadership, the office will serve as a strategic hub for western coastal regions, further strengthening VR Maritime’s operational efficiency and contribution to India’s growing maritime sector.
By establishing a presence in Goa, a key maritime state, VR Maritime aligns itself with India’s “Blue Economy” vision, supporting local employment generation and workforce development in close cooperation with the Directorate General of Shipping.
Encouraging the youth of Goa, Capt. Prashar stated, “Goa is known globally for its qualified seafarers. We encourage Goan youth to make a career at sea, and through our Goa office, we open doors for them right here at home.”
