On July 31, 2025, seafarers in Mumbai protested against a circular issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), which restricts Indian seafarers from sailing on foreign flag vessels unless they hold Certificates of Competency (CoC) or Certificates of Proficiency issued by the Indian Maritime Authority or countries with Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRA). The Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) is urging the DGS to retract its July 18 decision, claiming it threatens the livelihood of thousands of Indian mariners who hold valid certifications from various non-Indian jurisdictions, including several recognized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), like Panama and Liberia.
FSUI leaders, including General Secretary Manoj Yadav, argue that this mandate could drastically reduce employment opportunities for Indian seafarers, many of whom have legitimately acquired their certificates from these countries. Furthermore, the requirement to verify STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) course certificates solely from DGS-approved institutes raises concerns over disqualification among qualified seafarers. FSUI president Bankim Bharati highlighted that this initiative not only disrupts careers and creates financial insecurity for thousands but also imposes an increased compliance burden on shipping companies, generating legal uncertainty about the validity of seafarers’ qualifications. Additionally, training institutions not recognized by DGS may face closures due to these changes.
The seafarers, demonstrating outside the DGS office, called for a timely meeting with stakeholders, including trade unions, training institutes, and maritime employers, to address the implications of the new regulations. FSUI criticized the DGS for enacting the order without a thorough, data-driven impact assessment, suggesting that such decisions must consider the broader ramifications for the shipping industry, export-import trade, and employment within India, a developing nation that can ill afford to lose seafarers or tonnage.
The union emphasized the importance of introducing protective measures for Indian seafarers, including tackling the rising incidents of abandonment by unethical shipping companies and RPSL (Registration of Shipping Companies and Licensed Agents) agents. Many seafarers have been left stranded without food, wages, or support. Moreover, the FSUI has called on the government to establish a pension scheme for seafarers to provide social security in light of increased job losses and dwindling employment opportunities.
The situation underscores the delicate balance between enhancing vessel safety and seafaring welfare while maintaining the livelihoods of those within the industry, which the FSUI believes should be a priority for the government and regulatory authorities.
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