India’s Bureau of Immigration has received the authority to perform periodic surprise inspections on specific Indian-flagged vessels and to request crew lists from these ships. This directive, outlined in an official memo by Deputy Officer (Immigration) Balbir Singh, targets various types of vessels, including coastal run vessels, dredgers, barges, and research vessels that operate within port limits.
The move comes as part of the interior ministry’s decision to abolish the previously mandatory coastal sign-on or sign-off procedures along with the Shore Leave Policy (SLP) for crew members of the specified vessel types. Complaints from Indian seafarers have highlighted ongoing challenges associated with existing immigration procedures, which previously required crew members to be physically present at immigration offices for the SLP issuance and its extensions every ten days.
In conjunction with these changes, the interior ministry has instructed the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) to ensure that port authorities maintain records of the crew and supernumerary personnel of Indian-flagged coastal run vessels. Moving forward, the access of these crew members to shore will be managed by the Port Authority, as stated in the announcement.
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has characterized this initiative as a significant milestone in the welfare of maritime workers, emphasizing its positive impact on approximately 800 vessels and Indian ship owners. The reforms are expected to alleviate operational delays, simplify compliance processes, and enhance the overall efficiency of coastal shipping. Sonowal noted that these changes will effectively end the repeated immigration reporting requirements for Indian seafarers, allowing them to maintain uninterrupted duties and safety aboard their vessels. By discarding what he referred to as “outdated rules,” Sonowal affirmed this action as a critical advancement in strengthening India’s maritime sector.
Overall, these measures reflect a progressive approach to addressing the concerns of seafarers and enhancing operational efficiency within the maritime industry in India.
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