The Directorate General of Shipping cracks down on unauthorized maritime training in India

In a recent move, the Directorate General of Shipping has issued a stern warning to foreign governments, maritime agencies, institutions, and representatives offering maritime training in India. The directive explicitly prohibits any form of training that leads to the issuance of seafarers’ certificates under the STCW Convention without prior written approval.

Violations of this rule will result in regulatory and legal consequences, including penalties such as blacklisting of Indian institutions, agents, or seafarers involved. The enforcement authorities under the Merchant Shipping Act and the Information Technology Act will handle such cases, with certifications from unauthorized programs being rejected as not authentic.

The STCW Convention, 1978, established by the IMO, sets global standards for the training and certification of seafarers to safeguard lives at sea and the marine environment. The strict criteria cover service experience, age, professional training, examinations, and health standards for all issued certificates.

Indian institutes conducting STCW courses on behalf of foreign entities have been instructed to cease immediately and report details of such programs to the Directorate General. Ship owners, managers, maritime training institutions, and Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) companies are also directed to refrain from collaborating with foreign training entities and report any such attempts to the Directorate.

Foreign entities seeking to conduct maritime training in India must submit a formal proposal to the Directorate for approval. The objective of this order is to uphold the credibility of India’s maritime training system and prevent Indian seafarers from receiving substandard or unregulated training from unauthorized foreign sources.

Furthermore, a recent circular issued by the DG Shipping on July 18, 2025, prohibits Indian seafarers with certificates from maritime administrations not recognized by India from sailing on foreign-flagged ships. This has sparked concerns among seafarers, with some filing a petition in the Bombay High Court to rescind the order.

Members of the Forward Seamen’s Union of India (FSUI) staged a demonstration in front of the Directorate General of Shipping’s office, urging the withdrawal of the circular. They argue that thousands of seafarers face the risk of losing their careers and financial stability due to this directive.