According to foreign media reports, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) of India recently issued a circular to address the growing issue of forged seafarer certificates, which threatens global maritime safety standards.
The notice, released on July 18 (local time), was issued in response to multiple cases of Indian seafarers using counterfeit documents to secure employment on foreign-flagged vessels.
The circular revealed an alarming pattern where “some seafarers were lured with promises of obtaining higher-grade Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP) through fraudulent means from foreign authorities, only to be deceived into sailing as ordinary crew members.”
The investigation uncovered fraudulent recruitment schemes offering “packages” that included forged course certificates from non-existent or unapproved maritime training institutions. In some cases, these so-called institutions “did not even exist at the claimed addresses.”
The situation has deteriorated to the point where Port State Control inspections have identified vessels employing crew with forged credentials, prompting intervention and raising international safety concerns. Indian authorities have already confiscated several CoCs issued by foreign administrations.
With approximately 80% of Indian seafarers employed on foreign-flagged ships, the DGS has placed significant responsibility on Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agencies to verify the authenticity of all certificates.
Under the new measures, all seafarers serving in officer roles—whether as captains or chief engineers—must hold valid certificates issued by the Indian government or by administrations recognized through mutual agreements. Similarly, other crew members must possess appropriate CoCs from approved institutions.
To ensure compliance, the DGS has directed all concerned parties to verify certificate authenticity through its official website, with any doubts to be resolved by contacting the nearest Mercantile Marine Department.
Penalties for non-compliance will be severe. Any seafarer found with forged documents “will be barred from sailing for at least two years,” with their Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) immediately revoked and their Indian National Database of Seafarers (INDoS) number frozen.
This crackdown aligns with India’s obligations under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), which mandates that seafarers must be properly qualified and fit for duty “to ensure safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment.”
The notice has been distributed to all major maritime associations and stakeholders, with immediate enforcement required.
Compiled and edited by Shipping Online.
Disclaimer: This article is reproduced for the purpose of conveying additional information. If there are any inaccuracies in the source attribution or if it infringes upon your legitimate rights, please contact us with proof of ownership, and we will promptly correct or remove the content. Thank you.
