The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in India has issued a significant circular dated July 18, aimed at mitigating the rampant issue of fraudulent seafarer certificates. This move has arisen from rising concerns regarding maritime safety and regulatory compliance, particularly following multiple incidents where Indian seafarers presented falsified documents to secure employment on foreign-flagged vessels.
Investigations have uncovered troubling cases where individuals sailing as ratings were enticed with prospects of obtaining higher-grade Certificates of Competency (CoCs) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP) through dubious channels. These often involved counterfeit course certificates from training institutes that were either nonexistent or unapproved. Such deceptive practices have prompted actions during Port State Control inspections, which identified ships manned by personnel bearing these illegitimate credentials. As a direct response, Indian authorities have confiscated several CoCs that appeared to have been issued under questionable circumstances by foreign administrations.
With approximately 80% of Indian seafarers employed on foreign vessels, the DGS highlighted the importance of accountability for Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agencies. The directive mandates that all officers and engineers must hold valid certifications issued either by the Government of India or by foreign administrations recognized under mutual agreements. Moreover, watchkeeping ratings and other crew members are required to have Certificates of Proficiency from accredited institutions.
To ensure adherence to these regulations, stakeholders are instructed to verify the authenticity of certifications through the Directorate’s official website. In cases of ambiguity, they must seek verification from the nearest Mercantile Marine Department. Non-compliance carries serious repercussions, including a two-year sailing ban for anyone found with fraudulent documents, immediate suspension of their Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), and cancellation of their Indian National Database of Seafarers (INDoS) number.
The circular is part of India’s broader commitment to the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention, which underscores the necessity for seafarers to be properly qualified to conduct their duties. This initiative seeks not only to enhance safety at sea but also aims to protect the marine environment from potential threats posed by unqualified personnel operating on commercial vessels.
In sum, the DGS’s directive is a robust effort to address the grave issue of counterfeit certifications in the maritime industry and reinforces the need for stringent verification processes to uphold the integrity of seafarer qualifications. This proactive stance reflects India’s dedication to improving maritime safety standards and maintaining regulatory compliance on a global scale.
