Seafarers in southern Tamil Nadu are facing significant hardships due to new regulations issued by the Director General of Shipping (DG Shipping) that have left thousands unemployed. V Anandan Morais, President of the Seafarers Association and a Chief Engineer, highlighted that a circular issued in July restricts the employment of seafarers holding Certificates of Competency (CoC) from countries lacking Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with India. This has affected a significant number of seafarers, as only eleven countries—such as Malaysia, the UAE, South Korea, and Canada—are recognized under the new regulations.
The implementation of these restrictions has raised concerns amongst seafarers over the validity of their qualifications, with some qualified professionals facing unemployment despite possessing legitimate certifications. E Thennavan, a Third Engineer, shared his personal struggle, having been jobless for three months, and voiced his concerns about covering his family’s daily expenses, educational costs for his children, and outstanding loans. Similarly, Livio Fernandez, a Chief Engineer, lamented the abrupt notice prohibiting employees from reporting for duty based on questions surrounding the authenticity of their certificates. He pointed out the inconsistency in recognizing certificates approved by the Indian Maritime Authority yet declaring them invalid.
In response to these challenges, the Seafarers Association filed a plea to the Bombay High Court seeking to overturn the DG Shipping’s circular dated July 18, 2025, which specifically barred seafarers holding CoCs from Honduras, Panama, and other nations from employment. They requested that the court direct the DG Shipping to reinstate recognition for all foreign-issued CoCs and Certificates of Proficiency that Indian seafarers lawfully obtained prior to the new regulations.
Morais indicated that the Seafarers Association has sought assistance from local political representatives, including Kanimozhi Karunanidhi, the MP for Thoothukudi. They are urging for swift intervention to ensure a resolution, as approximately 20,000 Indian seafarers, including about 2,000 from the southern part of Tamil Nadu, find their livelihoods hanging in the balance. The situation remains critical, with these individuals now facing an uncertain future and an uphill battle to sustain their families amidst the backdrop of regulatory changes.
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