Regulated by DG Shipping · ~250,000 active seafarers · IMO White List
India — the second-largest seafarer-supplying nation
India supplies roughly 9–10 % of the world's active seafarers — approximately 250,000 officers and ratings at sea at any given time — making it the second-largest source country after the Philippines. Indian seafarers are particularly prominent in the officer class: masters and chief engineers on tankers, bulk carriers, and gas carriers are frequently Indian nationals.
The central regulator is the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping, dgshipping.gov.in), an attached office of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW). DG Shipping issues Certificates of Competency (CoCs), approves training institutes, licences Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers (RPS) agencies, and administers the Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC). The Indian Maritime University (IMU), headquartered in Chennai with campuses around the country, is the apex maritime education body.
Regulatory authorities
Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) — the primary authority for CoC issuance, endorsement of foreign CoCs, approval of pre-sea and post-sea training institutions, and STCW implementation. Offices at Jahaz Bhawan, Mumbai.
Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) — field offices of DG Shipping in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. Seafarers interact with MMD for CDC applications, medical examination scheduling, CoC examination enrolments, and endorsements.
Indian Maritime University (IMU) — statutory university under MoPSW. Conducts and validates pre-sea programmes (B.Sc. Nautical Science, B.Tech Marine Engineering, MBA Maritime Management) and sets academic standards for affiliated approved colleges.
Seamen's Provident Fund Organisation (SPFO) — a statutory body that administers the mandatory provident fund contributions of Indian seafarers sailing on foreign-flag vessels. Contributions are compulsory; benefits include pension, gratuity, and insurance.
Training and certification pathway
GP Rating (General Purpose Rating): Non-officer entry. A six-month course at a DG Shipping-approved training centre, covering basic seamanship for deck or engine. Leads to Basic Safety Training (BST / Basic STCW VI/1) and an Efficient Deck Hand or Engine Driver rating. Entry qualification is Class 10 (SSLC) pass.
Pre-sea officer training: B.Sc. Nautical Science (deck) or B.Tech Marine Engineering (engine), typically three years at IMU or affiliated DG-approved colleges. Major institutions include TS Chanakya (Mumbai), MERI (Mumbai), IMU campus colleges (Chennai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, Cochin, Navi Mumbai), Tolani Maritime Institute (Pune), Anglo-Eastern Maritime Academy (Pune), Great Eastern Institute of Maritime Studies (Lonavala), Samundra Institute of Maritime Studies, LBS College of Advanced Maritime Studies (Mumbai), and AMET University (Chennai).
ETO pre-sea: Electro-Technical Officer course at IMU or DG-approved institutes for Diploma in Electro-Technical Engineering graduates.
Cadetship: Deck cadets and engine cadets complete 18 months of approved sea time. After sea time, candidates sit DG Shipping Phase 2 (competency module) and Phase 3 (proficiency modules — ARPA, GMDSS, Tanker etc.) examinations to obtain their first CoC.
Class IV CoC (Officer of the Watch): First officer certificate — OOW Deck (Class IV, near-coastal) or EOOW Class IV Engine (≤750 kW). Requires passing the Function-based Examination (FBE), a medical fitness certificate (ENG1-equivalent), and satisfactory sea service record.
Class III CoC: Chief Mate / Second Engineer. Requires additional sea time in the Class IV rank plus written and oral examinations at MMD.
Class II CoC (Master / Chief Engineer): Highest national certificate. Requires significant sea time as chief mate or second engineer, written and oral examinations, and attainment of age 23 or above. Holders may serve as master or chief engineer on unlimited-tonnage ships.
Foreign-flag recognition: An EAR (Endorsement Attesting Recognition) under STCW Regulation I/10 must be obtained from the flag state concerned before serving on a vessel of that flag. India is on the IMO White List of compliant administrations, so Indian CoCs are widely recognised.
Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC)
The CDC is the Indian seafarer's equivalent of a seaman's book. It is a physical booklet issued by MMD (on behalf of DG Shipping) and records every period of sea service (sign-on and sign-off). A valid CDC is mandatory before signing articles on any vessel.
Applications are made online through the DG Shipping online portal (seafarers.dgshipping.gov.in), supported by proof of CoC, medical fitness, passport, and photographs. Lost CDCs must be reported to police and the MMD; a duplicate is issued after investigation.
INDOS number (Indian National Database of Seafarers): Every CDC holder is assigned a unique INDOS number, which is the primary identifier in the DG Shipping seafarer database. Employers verify INDOS numbers before engagement.
Wages and trade unions
The two principal trade unions for Indian seafarers are the National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI) and the Maritime Union of India (MUI). Both are affiliates of the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) and party to collective bargaining agreements under the ITF/IBF Framework Agreement.
Wage rates for Indian seafarers on foreign-flag vessels follow either the IBF-approved Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the NMB-NUSI or NMB-MUI agreement (negotiated through the National Maritime Board), or a bilateral agreement between the shipping company and the union. Under IBF minimum rates (as revised for 2024–2026), a master on a general cargo or bulk vessel earns a minimum of approximately USD 4,500–5,500 per month; Indian masters and chief engineers on LNG and chemical tankers frequently earn significantly more.
Both NUSI and MUI maintain welfare funds that provide benefits for illness, injury, and death during service, in addition to MLC 2006 protections mandated under the flag state's law.
RPS licensed manning agencies
Manning agencies operating in India must hold a valid Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers (RPS) licence issued by DG Shipping. The complete list is published at dgshipping.gov.in. No placement fee may be charged to the seafarer — any agency demanding payment from a seafarer is acting illegally and should be reported to DG Shipping.
Well-established RPS-licensed agencies include Anglo-Eastern Maritime Services (Mumbai/Pune), Bernhard Schulte Shipmanagement India, V.Ships India, Synergy Marine India, Fleet Ship Management, Pacific International Lines India, Wallem Shipmanagement India, MTM India, Columbia Shipmanagement India, and Tsakos Columbia Shipmanagement.
Before signing a contract with any agency, seafarers should verify the RPS licence number on the DG Shipping website, confirm the contract is compliant with MLC 2006, and ensure they receive a full signed copy before travel.
Income tax for Indian seafarers
The residency status of an Indian seafarer for income tax purposes is governed by Section 6 of the Income Tax Act 1961, read with CBDT Circular No. 13/2017. Under Section 6(1)(a), an individual is treated as resident in India only if they are present in India for 182 days or more in the financial year (1 April – 31 March). A seafarer serving on a foreign-flag vessel who spends less than 182 days in India in the year therefore qualifies as a Non-Resident Indian (NRI).
The 182-day rule is central to tax planning for Indian seafarers. As an NRI, income earned in foreign currency on a foreign-flag vessel is not taxable in India. Interest earned on NRE accounts is also exempt.
Documentation required to establish NR status includes: Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) with sign-on/sign-off entries, salary slips, MEO-IM (Monthly Employer's Obligation — Indian Mariner) certificates from the employer, and passport stamping records. Seafarers should keep all original documents meticulously.
The New Tax Regime (introduced from FY 2020-21 and made default from FY 2023-24) does not affect the residency-based exemption for foreign-source income of NRIs, but seafarers who remain Indian residents in a given year should compare old vs new regime to determine which is more beneficial for their Indian-source income.
Tax returns must be filed by 31 July each year. Many seafarers use a maritime-specialist chartered accountant to ensure correct treatment of CDC-based residency claims.
Bank accounts for Indian seafarers
Indian seafarers earning in foreign currency should hold an NRE (Non-Resident External) account for their primary remittance. NRE accounts are denominated in Indian rupees but funded from overseas earnings. Interest is tax-free in India, and the principal and interest are fully and freely repatriable.
NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) accounts hold income from Indian sources (rent, dividends, pension) and are partially repatriable (up to USD 1 million per financial year after tax). Interest on NRO accounts is taxable in India.
FCNR-B (Foreign Currency Non-Resident Bank) deposits allow seafarers to hold fixed deposits in foreign currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, AUD, CAD) with major banks including State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank. FCNR-B deposits protect against rupee depreciation.
Remittance services commonly used by Indian seafarers for family allotments include Wise (formerly TransferWise), Western Union, and SBI's remittance products. Employers may also provide direct allotment facilities to Indian bank accounts.
Welfare, provident fund and seafarers' centres
SPFO (Seamen's Provident Fund Organisation): All Indian seafarers on foreign-flag vessels are required by law to contribute to SPFO. Contributions are made monthly; the fund provides provident fund, gratuity, insurance cover, and a pension scheme on retirement. Queries: SPFO Mumbai, Maker Bhavan II, New Marine Lines, Mumbai.
ITF Indian Inspectorate: ITF inspectors operate from Mumbai Port Trust and cover major Indian ports. They handle cases of unpaid wages, substandard conditions, and contract violations on behalf of seafarers regardless of flag or union membership.
Seafarers' centres in India: Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre (Mumbai), Mumbai Seafarers' Centre (operated by Mission to Seafarers), Chennai Seafarers' Welfare Centre, and Kolkata Seafarers' Centre provide shore leave facilities, legal advice, Wi-Fi, transport, and pastoral care.
ISWAN SeafarerHelp: The free confidential helpline run by the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network operates 24/7 in multiple languages. Available at seafarerhelp.org or +44 20 7323 2737.
Common issues faced by Indian seafarers
Income tax 182-day documentation: The most frequent administrative challenge. Seafarers should maintain a running tally of days outside India, ensure all CDC pages are legible, and obtain MEO-IM certificates promptly from employers after each voyage.
CoC revalidation: Indian CoCs follow the standard STCW five-year cycle. Revalidation requires at least 12 months' approved sea service in the preceding five years (or three months in the preceding six months), plus refresher courses for applicable endorsements (Basic Safety Training, PSCRB, AFF, tanker advanced). Applications via MMD/DG Shipping online portal.
Visa requirements: Indian passport holders require visas for most countries. Key seafarer-relevant visas include the US C-1/D Transit/Crewman visa (biometric appointment at US Consulate required), Schengen C-type crewman visa (from the consulate of the country of first entry), and UK Transit Visa for seafarers (required even for layover). Seafarers should apply well in advance of joining.
Family allotments and remittance: Allotment arrangements should be specified in the employment agreement. Using NRE accounts for remittance ensures tax efficiency. Banks may require FEMA compliance documentation for large transfers.
Fake training certificates and overcharging agencies: DG Shipping periodically warns against fraudulent STCW certificates issued by non-approved centres, and against RPS-unlicensed agencies charging placement fees. Seafarers should verify all certificates through DG Shipping's online registry and report irregularities to the DGS helpdesk.
Helplines and contact numbers
DG Shipping helpdesk (Mumbai): +91 22 2575 2040 / helpdesk@dgshipping.gov.in — for CoC, CDC, and RPS licensing queries.
MMD Mumbai: +91 22 2261 2626 — for examination scheduling and endorsement queries.
NUSI (National Union of Seafarers of India), Mumbai: +91 22 2261 3361 — for union membership, wage dispute assistance, and MLC complaints.
Stella Maris Seafarers' Centre, Mumbai: +91 22 2261 5205 — welfare, pastoral care, and referrals.
ISWAN SeafarerHelp (international, 24/7): +44 20 7323 2737 / seafarerhelp.org — free confidential assistance in English and other languages.
STCW recognition and flags commonly served
India is included on the IMO White List of STCW Parties whose legislation and training have been independently audited as fully compliant. Indian CoCs are therefore recognised by virtually all major flag states.
Common flags of registration under which Indian seafarers serve: Singapore, Liberia, Panama, Marshall Islands, Malta, Bahamas, Cyprus, Isle of Man, Norway (NIS), and Antigua & Barbuda. Each flag requires an EAR (Endorsement Attesting Recognition under STCW Regulation I/10) before the seafarer can serve.
For Indian flag (coastal and short-sea trading), DG Shipping directly issues CoCs without the need for a foreign-flag EAR. Indian coastal trade (cabotage) is generally reserved for Indian-flag ships and Indian seafarers under the Merchant Shipping Act 1958.
Typical career progression
Cadet → Fourth Officer / Junior Engineer: Approximately 18 months sea time as cadet, then Phase 2/Phase 3 examinations. Typical age 22–24.
OOW Deck (Class IV) / EOOW (Class IV Engine): One to two years at sea in junior officer rank, building sea time for the next CoC.
Chief Mate / Second Engineer (Class III): Typically three to four years after Class IV. Requires specific sea time in the OOW/EOOW rank.
Master / Chief Engineer (Class II): Typically eight to ten years from pre-sea graduation. The most competitive pathway is via LPG/LNG tankers or large chemical tankers, where Indian nationals are particularly sought.
Post-sea careers: Shore roles in shipmanagement companies, DG Shipping surveyor posts, maritime educational institutions, P&I clubs, and marine insurance are common progressions for senior Indian officers.
See also
· STCW reference — chapters, amendments, and certificate types.
· MLC 2006 — employment conditions, wages, repatriation, and welfare.