Regulator bars 366 foreign-flagged ships from hiring Indian seafarers

NEW DELHI: DG Shipping, the maritime regulator, on Thursday prohibited 366 foreign-flagged vessels from engaging Indian seafarers as they are accused of abandoning sailors — through nonpayment of wages, denial of compensation in death or missing cases, the subjecting of crew members to undue hardships and lack of assistance in repatriation of Indian seafarers.

This is a violation of national maritime regulations and international obligations, DG Shipping said while cautioning Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) holders against placing seafarers on these vessels. In a circular issued to RPSL companies and all Indian seafarers, it put 278 vessels under “restricted” category and the remaining 88 under “blacklisted” category.

DG Shipping also directed all RPSLs to submit details of Indian seafarers engaged on these vessels within 14 days.

“...in view of the grave violations of seafarer welfare, abandonment practices and non-compliance with international conventions, the 366 vessels are hereby prohibited from engaging Indian seafarers through any RPSL company approved by DG Shipping with immediate effect, unless compliance with the foregoing provisions is duly ensured,” the maritime regulator said in its order.

It said there are numerous vessels with Indian seafarers that have abandoned them. The vessels have been identified till 2026 in connection with abandonment-related cases, based on their “severity, recurrence and the challenges faced during enforcement and repatriation of Indian seafarers and recovery of their outstanding wages”.

The regulator said that based on findings and observations of the director, Seamen's Employment Office in Mumbai, show-cause notices have been issued to several RPSL holders for their involvement in such cases. It has faced significant challenges in coordinating the repatriation of Indian seafarers from such vessels and payment of dues, the regulator added.