Seamen’s union seeks withdrawal of DG Shipping order on seafarer recruitment
Mumbai: Seafarers stage a protest against a circular issued by the Directorate General of Shipping which banned crew holding certificates issued by the maritime administration of countries that are not recognised by India from sailing, in Mumbai, Thursday, July 31, 2025.
Forward Seamen’s Union of India has demanded the Director General of Shipping to withdraw its order dt July 18 that mandates Indian seafarers recruited for foreign flag vessels to possess a valid Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency issued by Indian Maritime Authority or countries with Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA).
Manoj Yadav, general secretary of FSUI, said the DGS circular would adversely affect the seafaring community and the maritime sector at large. The circular excludes CoCs issued by several IMO white-listed countries such as Panama, Liberia, Honduras, Belize, Bahamas and Cook Islands that would directly threaten the employability of thousands of Indian seafarers, many of whom possess legitimately acquired certifications from these jurisdictions.
Besides, the mandate to verify STCW course certificates only from DG Shipping-approved institutes has created significant barriers and fears of disqualification, even among genuinely trained professionals, said Bankim Bharati, president of FSUI.
Thousands of seafarers face career disruption, disqualification and financial insecurity because of this directive and moreover shipping companies would be met with increased burden of compliance, due diligence and legal ambiguity. For the training sector, institutes outside the purview of the DG Shipping approval list would face closure, he said.
Seafarers under the banner of FSUI held demonstration before the DGS office in Mumbai and urged the Shipping Ministry to immediately convene a meeting with all stakeholders, including trade unions, manning agents, training institutes and maritime employers to resolve the issue in a time-bound manner.
FSUI alleged that the DG order was enacted without a comprehensive study by a competent authority and no data were provided on its impact on shipping sector, Exim trade or the potential loss of jobs.
Since India is a developing nation, the country could not afford the loss of seafarers’ job or tonnage. While amendments to enhance vessel safety, marine environments and seafarers’ welfare are welcome, they should not jeopardise thousands of livelihoods, the Union said.
FSUI also called for immediate action from the government and the DG Shipping to curb the rising number of Indian seafarers being abandoned across the world by unscrupulous shipping companies and RPSL agents. These workers are left without food, wages, legal support or repatriation.
The union also demanded to introduce a pension scheme for seafarers as many of them needed social security in the backdrop of job loss and declining employment opportunities.
Published on August 1, 2025
