India Takes Strict Action Against Fake Seafarer Training Certificates

India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has launched a strict crackdown on fake training certificates used by Indian seafarers to get jobs on foreign-flagged ships.

The new directive, issued on July 18, comes after investigations found growing cases of fraudulent Certificates of Competency (CoCs) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoPs) being issued by unauthorized agents and unapproved maritime institutes.

According to the DGS, some Indian seafarers working as ratings were promised upgrades to higher positions in exchange for fake documents issued by questionable foreign administrations.

These seafarers were misled into thinking they could get certified without completing the required training or assessments. In many cases, the course certificates were from institutes that were either unapproved or did not exist at all.

Investigators also discovered that some Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agencies lured seafarers with offers of fake STCW certificates if they agreed to sail with specific companies. These agents also offered “packages” including forged documents from institutes that had no real presence.

This growing issue has led to major concerns during Port State Control (PSC) inspections, where ships were found to have crew members sailing on fake certificates. In response, Indian authorities have already confiscated several such documents issued by foreign bodies.

The new rules now require that all officers, engineers, ratings, and watchkeeping crew must have CoCs and CoPs either issued by the Government of India or by foreign administrations that India officially recognizes under STCW Regulation I/10.

The list of accepted countries currently includes Malaysia, UAE, South Korea, Sweden, Commonwealth countries, and Iran. Major registries like Panama, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands are not on the approved list, which may lead to disruptions for some seafarers holding valid but unrecognized documents.

The DGS has made it mandatory for all STCW-related training to be completed only at institutes that are officially approved by the Directorate. No organization in India is allowed to issue such certificates without DGS approval.

All RPSL agencies and ship managers must now verify the authenticity of every certificate through the official DGS website or confirm it with the nearest Mercantile Marine Department (MMD). They are also responsible for ensuring that every seafarer placed onboard is properly certified and medically fit.

Agencies must maintain full and confidential employment records, as required under the Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules, 2016.

The penalties for violations are strict. Seafarers found using fake documents will be banned from sailing for at least two years. Their Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) will be suspended, and their Indian National Database of Seafarers (INDoS) number will be blocked. Agencies found involved in such fraud may lose their licenses and face legal action under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.

The directive, approved by the Competent Authority, has been sent to all shipowners, crewing agencies, maritime associations, and training institutes. Implementation is to begin immediately.

Industry sources have raised concerns that even some legitimate seafarers might face trouble due to the limited list of approved foreign administrations. A crewing company CEO told Economic Times that the crackdown could threaten the operations of several RPSL agencies. He said that some ships might even be detained if crew members are found with forged documents.

DGS said this action is necessary to meet India’s obligations under international agreements like the STCW Convention and to protect safety at sea, lives onboard, and the marine environment. Officials warned that if this issue is not handled now, it could cause even more damage to Indian seafarers’ careers and the country’s image in global shipping.

Reference: DG Shipping

Source: Maritime Shipping News