To combat malpractices in recruitment and safeguard Indian seafarers from fraud, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has implemented stringent regulations concerning Certificates of Competency (CoC). As of July 18, ship owners are prohibited from employing Indian seafarers who hold CoC that are not recognized by India. Only CoCs issued by the Indian government or by foreign maritime administrations that have mutual agreements with India—aligning with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention)—are valid for officers or engineers on foreign-flagged vessels.
Reports have surfaced revealing fraudulent agents selling ‘packages’ that include course certificates from unapproved maritime institutes, as well as