On 03rd November 1989, at Mumbai, seven major companies employing Indian manpower in the service of foreign ship owners came together to form an association called FOSMA - the acronym for Foreign Owners & Ship Managers Representatives Association. The aim of the association was to address issues relating to employment of Indian seafarers on foreign flag vessels. FOSMA has now risen to its present eminent position comprising of thirty one (31) major companies as members which represent vast majority of Indian seafarers working on foreign flag vessels. The Association is registered as a non-profit organization. The FOSMA Maritime Institute and Research Organisation (FMIRO), Kolkata is headed by Director (Education and Training) and it is a part of FOSMA-Mumbai. The Institute has been set up with the aim of providing Maritime Education and Training to meet the present and future needs of the shipping industry. MARITIME TRAINING IN KOLKATA: To cater to Eastern Region, FOSMA entered into agreement with the Indian Institute of Port Management (IIPM), Kolkata in 1996 to conduct the competency and modular courses, both in the nautical and engineering discipline. The institute has grown over the years to have 35 courses in place. However, due to limitation of space for growth and power supply, FOSMA, in 2016, decided to set up these training courses at their own premises. Nautical Competency Courses, viz. Second Mates, Chief Mate and Masters have already commenced at the new premises and others are in the process of being shifted. In the Second Phase, Full Mission Ship Manoeuvring Simulator (SMS); Radar, ARPA and Navigation Simulator Course (RANSCO) and ECDIS Course; Officer of the Watch (OOW) Simulator, Liquid Cargo Handling Simulator (LCHS) – Oil and Chemical; Full Mission Engine Room Simulator (ERS) will be introduced.