Date: 2026-02-09Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
DGS Circular(Crew) No.05 of 2026 - Implementation of Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) – Five-Year Action Plan (2025–2030) for Promotion of Gender Equality and Inclusion in the Maritime Sector-reg.
**Executive Summary**
This document is a circular (DGS Circular No. 05 of 2026) from the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) regarding the implementation of the Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) Five-Year Action Plan (2025-2030). The plan aims to promote gender equality and inclusion within the Indian maritime sector. The action plan is effective immediately and is to be implemented in a phased manner.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Purpose:** To foster a safe, inclusive, and equitable maritime sector by empowering women seafarers and strengthening gender inclusion.
* **Framework:** The action plan provides a structured, phased roadmap to address policy gaps, infrastructure needs, capacity building, sensitization, leadership development, and institutional sustainability.
* **Partnership:** The initiative is implemented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DGS and Maritime Union of India (MUI), with MUI serving as the sole investor.
* **Implementation Timeline:** The Five-Year Action Plan is structured into the following phases:
* **Year 1 (2025-26): Charting the Course**
* Establish SMS brand identity and digital presence.
* Conduct gender-sensitization workshops.
* Launch India's first Maritime Gender Inclusion Policy.
* Conduct awareness initiatives among male seafarers.
* Identify policy and infrastructure gaps.
* Organize outreach seminars at schools and colleges.
* **Year 2 (2026-27): Anchoring Integration**
* Implement the National Maritime Gender Framework across Directorates and maritime boards.
* Issue a Zero Tolerance Policy and Model Code of Conduct for Seafarers.
* Initiate infrastructure upgrades for gender-neutral facilities.
* Pilot implementation in select ports and shipping companies.
* Integrate gender modules in DGS-approved training programs.
* **Year 3 (2027-28): Expanding Horizons**
* Launch national scholarship and sponsorship programs for women.
* Collaborate with international organizations and progressive maritime nations.
* Conduct nationwide awareness campaigns.
* Document and publish best practices.
* Encourage all-women batches in Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs).
* **Year 4 (2028-29): Leading the Wave**
* Conduct National Maritime Gender Leadership Programs.
* Organize the National Sagar Mein Samman Conclave.
* Publish profiles of women achievers.
* Recognize inclusive institutions and companies.
* Formulate the SMS Toolkit for maritime stakeholders.
* **Year 5 (2029-30): Sailing Forward**
* Release the SMS Toolkit and Global Showcase Report.
* Formalize long-term international partnerships.
* Integrate gender equity principles into Maritime Education and Training Regulations.
* Conduct annual observance of Sagar Mein Samman Week.
* Align with Maritime India Vision 2047.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders:** All Concerned Stakeholders in the Maritime Sector
**Impact:** The plan will impact all concerned stakeholders in the maritime sector by promoting gender equality and inclusion, potentially leading to changes in policies, infrastructure, training, and workplace culture.
**Action Required:** All stakeholders are expected to cooperate with the implementation of the SMS Five-Year Action Plan. This involves understanding the objectives and participating in the various initiatives outlined in the plan as they roll out over the next five years.
Key Entities Referenced
Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) – Five-Year Action Plan (2025–2030): A flagship initiative aimed at empowering women seafarers and strengthening gender inclusion across the Indian maritime sector.
Directorate General of Shipping (DGS): The primary regulatory body responsible for implementing the Sagar Mein Samman Action Plan.
Maritime Union of India (MUI): Partner organization acting as the sole investor for the Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) initiative.
Maritime India Vision 2047: A long-term strategic plan for the maritime sector, to which the Sagar Mein Samman plan aligns.
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DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
DGS Circular No. 05 of 2026
F.No. 23-MISC/38/202SCREW - DGS (C.No. 28971) Date:09.02.2026
Subiect: Imolementation of Sssar Mein Sammon - Five-Year Action Plan (202i2030) for
Promotion of Gender Eoualitv and Inclusion in the Maritime Sector. - res.
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) is pleased to inform all concerned stakeholders
that. in furtherance of the Govemment of India's commitment towards fostering a safe, inclusive,
and equitable maritime sector, the Sagar Mein Samman (SMS) Five-Year Action Plan for the period
2023-2030 has been finalized.
2. Sagar Mein Samman is a flagship initiative aimed at empowering women seafarers and
strengthening gender inclusion across maritime govemance, education, training, shipboard
operations, and allied institutions. The Action Plan outlines a structured, phased roadmap to address
existing policy gaps, infrastructure requirements, capacity building, sensitization, leadership
development, and long-term institutional sustainability across the maritime ecosystem.
3. The initiative is being implemented pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed
between the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) and Maritime Union of India (MUI), under
which MUI serves as the sole investor for Sagar Mein Samman. This formal partnership ensures
dedicated financial commitment, institutional support, and a robust govemance framework, enabling
effective implementation, scalability, and sustained impact nationwide.
4. The Five-Year Action Plan shall be implemented in a phased manner as outlined below:
Year I (202126): Charting the Course:
Establishment of the SMS brand identity and digital presence; conduct of gender-sensitization
workshops; launch of India's first Maritime Gender lnclusion Policy; awareness initiatives among
male seafarers; identification ofpolicy and infrastructure gaps; and organization ofoutreach seminars
at schools and colleges to promote maritime careers for women.
Year 2 (2026-27 ): Anchoring Integration:
Implementation of the National Maritime Gender Framework across Directorates and maritime
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infrastructure upgradation lbr gender-neutral facilities; pilot implementation in select ports and
shipping companiesl and integration of gender modules in DGS-approved lraining programmes.
Year 3 (2027-28): Expanding Horizons:
Launch of national scholarship and sponsorship programmes for women; collaboration with
intemational organizations and progressive maritime nations; nationwide awareness campaigns;
documentation and publication of best practices; and encouragement ol all-women batches in
Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs).
Y ear 4 (2028-29): Leading the Wave:
Conduct of National Maritime Gender Leadership Programmes: organization of the National Sagar
Mein Santman Conclave; publication ol profiles of women achievers; recognition of inclusive
institutior.rs and companies; and formulation of the SMS Toolkit 1'or maritime stakcholders.
Year 5 (2029-30): Sailing Forward:
Release ol the SMS Toolkit and Global Showcase Reportl lbrnralization of long-term international
partnerships: integration of gender equity principles into Maritime Education and Training
Regulations; annual observance of Sugar Mein Samntan llcekt and alignment with Maritime India
Vision 2017.
This circular is issued with the approval olthe Competent Autholity and shall come into lbrce with
immediate etiect.
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Capt Nitin Mukesh 6l'or-'>L
Dy. Nautical Advisor cum Senior DDG (Tech)
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