The Directorate General of Shipping in India has issued a directive prohibiting foreign entities from conducting maritime training and issuing seafarers’ competency certificates under the STCW Convention without prior written approval from the Directorate. This order aims to protect the integrity and sovereignty of India’s maritime training system, ensuring that all seafarers receive high-quality, regulated education, conforming to international standards.
Institutions currently offering STCW courses leading to Certificates of Competency (CoC) or Certificates of Proficiency (CoP) must cease such activities immediately. They are required to submit their details for scrutiny, and any unauthorized training outcomes will be invalidated. Entities that violate this order face potential legal repercussions, including the blacklisting of Indian institutions and seafarers involved, further enforced under the Merchant Shipping Act and the Information Technology Act.
The STCW Convention mandates that member states ensure seafarers obtain proper training and certification to uphold safety at sea and protect marine environments. The Directive highlights concerns over unauthorized foreign influences in India’s training landscape, particularly from private training centers that claim authorization but lack approval from the Directorate General of Shipping.
Shipping stakeholders, including ship owners, managers, and Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs), have been advised to refrain from collaborating with unapproved foreign providers and to report such cases to the Directorate. Any foreign administration wishing to conduct training in India must formally seek approval.
Industry professionals, including Capt. Sanjay Prashar of V R Maritime Services, have praised the order as a necessary measure to uphold quality and job opportunities for Indian seafarers. The order could enhance employment prospects by ensuring that only properly trained seafarers are certified.
This directive is the second significant action within weeks to address fraudulent practices surrounding the issuance of maritime training certificates. A previous circular, issued on July 18, sparked considerable backlash as it barred Indian seafarers with certificates from unrecognized maritime administrations from sailing on foreign-flagged vessels, leading to protests and legal challenges. The recent order is seen as a more effective approach to combatting fraudulent certifications while safeguarding Indian maritime interests.
Overall, the Directorate General of Shipping is reinforcing its regulatory authority to ensure that the country’s maritime training adheres to both national and international standards, keeping the safety and credibility of seafaring education a priority.
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