The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) of India has taken decisive action against the alarming rise of fraudulent seafarer certificates, which pose serious threats to global maritime safety. A circular published on July 18 outlines the urgent need for remediation after numerous cases surfaced where Indian seafarers used forged credentials to gain employment on foreign-flagged vessels.
Investigations have revealed a troubling trend where seafarers, often in lower-ranking positions, were misled with the false promise of being eligible for higher-grade Certificates of Competency (CoCs) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP) through illicit avenues. These fraudulent networks, exploiting the aspirations of seafarers, offered deceptive “packages” that included fake course certifications from non-existent or unaccredited maritime training institutions. In some instances, these so-called institutes were found to be fictitious, lacking any legitimate presence at the advertised addresses.
The situation has escalated to a critical level, with Port State Control inspections identifying several vessels crewed by individuals holding counterfeit qualifications. This has prompted significant interventions and raised apprehensions about maritime safety standards on an international scale, with Indian authorities already confiscating several Certificates of Competency issued by foreign administrations.
Given that around 80% of Indian seafarers work on foreign-flagged ships, the DGS is imposing stringent verification requirements on Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agencies. They are now tasked with ensuring the authenticity of all seafarer certificates. The newly implemented measures dictate that all officers and engineers working at sea must possess valid certificates issued by the Government of India or by recognized foreign administrations, while ratings and other crew members are required to have appropriate Certificates of Proficiency from approved sources.
To enforce compliance, the DGS has instructed involved parties to verify the authenticity of certificates through the Directorate’s official website. In instances of uncertainty, they are urged to seek validation from the nearest Mercantile Marine Department.
Severe penalties are instituted for non-compliance; any seafarer found with fraudulent certificates will face a minimum two-year ban from sailing. This strict action includes an immediate suspension of their Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) and a blockade of their Indian National Database of Seafarers (INDoS) number.
This crackdown is consistent with India’s responsibilities under the STCW Convention, which emphasizes that all seafarers must be adequately qualified and fit to perform their duties, thereby ensuring the safety of life at sea and the preservation of the marine environment.
The circular has been disseminated to key maritime associations and stakeholders, with immediate implementation required to safeguard the integrity of maritime operations and enhance safety standards across the industry.
