Prevention of Forged Entries in Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs) by RPSL Agents / Shipping Companies /Seafarers - reg

.\: -,,. qTfi (1611/ GOVERNTIENT OF INDIA q-flr, rirn qftsEq 3iR aEn"i {ilmq XITISTRY OT PORTS, SHIPPII{G AI{D WA'TERWAYS irq-fl r-orfrarTrtrc, :iq{ DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING.

F. No. 23-65/3/202S-CREw - DGS (C. No. 346ss) Dare:01.10.2025 DGS Circular No. 43 of 2025

Subiect: Prevention of Forged Entries in Continuous Discharse Certificates (CDCs) bv RPSL Agents / Shipping Comnanies /Senfarers - reg.

Whereas. various instances have come Io the attention of this Directorate, wherein fraudulent sea service enlries have been found to have forged or fraudulently inserted into Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs), which f'alsely indicate that seafarers had served on vessels they never boarded.

2. Whereas. it has been found that unauthorized ship stamps are being used, and the same is being found to involve Recruitment and Placement Services (RPS) entities or persons or agents or non RPS company fraudulently misrepresenting as valid RPS license holders or non-compliant shipping entities. This matter was examined by the Directorate and noted followings.

J.

Whereas the Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) is a vital legal document issued under the Merchant Shipping Act. 1958 and the CDC Rules. It serves as the official record of sea service lor Indian seatarers. The integriry" of the CDC is critical to the credibility of Indian maritime credentials, enforcement of safety standards, and compliance with international obligations, including the STCW Convention and the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), 2006; and

4.

Whereas. in accordance with the arnended Section 436 of the Merchant Shipping Act, as updated through the Jan Vishwas (Amendment ofProvisions) Acl.2023. the penalties fbr ofl'ences listed under Serial No.35 include:

"lfany person a. forges or fiaudulently alters any certificate ofdischarge, work certificate, or CDC; or b. fraudulently uses any such forged or unauthorized document-

Penalty: A fine of up to Rs. 2,00,000i- (Rupees Two Lakhs). which may be imposed by the Principal Officer olthe jurisdictional Mercantile Marine Department (MMD)." Therefore. by virtue of powers vested under Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Ceftificate) Rules, 2017 and Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules.20l6 read with Section 7 of Merchant Shipping Act 1958 (Act no.44 ol

1958), as amended; this Circular is issued to prevent misuse and / or fraudulent manipulation ofthe Continuous Discharge Certiticate (CDC); and accordingly, the following are issued for strict compliance by all stake holders involved to ensure that appropriate legal action is initiated wherever such violations are detected.

s{i{P."rc, .ira fufu,T, ,3{ri k6 a+t tqs, 6r$ -frq {s, 6ig{qrf (T{) 1ffi- +oooaz gth Floor, BETA Bu ld ng, l-Thlnk Techno Campus, Kanjur V:llage Road, Kanjurmarg (E), Mumba:400042 SFIrtel No.: +91-22-2 575 2C/iOt1tz3 *fr/Fax.: +91-22-2575 2029/35 {.t6rEmai : dsship-dss@nic.in tE(f{atlvebsite: wwwdoshipping.gov.inl. Accordingly, all RPSL agencies, shipping companies, and Masters of Indian- flagged

vessels are hereby directed to: a. Strictly refrain from making or facilitating any fraudulent or unauthorized entries in the CDCs of lndian seafarers. b.

Ensure that only the authorized Master enters and authenticates sea service records, based on actual onboard service. c. Upload and preserve verifiable sea service data in the e-Govemance system of DG Shipping.

d. lmmediately report any suspected cases of forged CDC entries to the jurisdictional Government Shipping Offices or Principal Officer or the Crew Branch of the Directorate for cancellation ofthe CDC and deleting the wrong entries from e-Cov portal.

II Any RPSL agency or shipping company or seafarers found to be involved in such

fraudulent practices shall be liable for the following actions: a. Suspension or cancellation of their RPSL license under Rule l2 ofthe MS (RPS) Rules. 201 6. b. Blacklisting and denial of manning approvals for a period ofup to five years.

c.

Penal action under Section 436 ofthe Merchant Shipping Act, as amended. d. Notification to Flag States, P&l Clubs. and Pon State Control (PSC) authorities. as applicable. e. The seafarer shall be debarred for a minimum period ofone years from joining ship and CDC to be suspended for one years.

5. In view of the above, it is hereby directed that INSA, ICSSA, FOSMA, MASSA, registered Trade Unions, RPSL Companies, DG Shipping-approved Maritime Training lnstitutes. and all other stakeholders. engaged in maritime trade: shall formulate and implement all necessary internal procedures and safeguards to prevent the recurrence of fiaudulent practices by certain companies and individuals.

6.

These institutional guidelines and internal controls shall be intended to serve and protect lndian seafarers from lhlling victim to unscrupulous agents or entities engaged in malpractices related to seafarer recruitment and placement. Stakeholders are advised to sensitize their associated members and ensure compliance with the same in the interest of transparency. safety. and integrity ofthe lndian maritime workforce.

7.

Additionally, all Seamen Employment Offices, Government Shipping Offices, and Mercantile Marine Departmenls (MMDs) are hereby directed to ensure strict compliance with lhe provisions ofSection 436 of the Merchant Shipping Act. 1958, as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023. in all relevant cases. All field offices are hereby directed to exercise due diligence and take prompt measures to uphold the integrity of marilime certification processes.

This issues with the approval ofthe Director General ofShipping.

14 (Capt. P.C ena) Deputy Director General of Shipping sfi {hd, Aa Rftg'r, sT{ Fi6 2s+ +q{, 6r{f ,ts l-?, or$fiFf (gd) jei- oooo+z 9th Floor, BETA Bu ld ng, l-Th nk Techno Campus, Kanjur Vllage Road, Kanjurmarg (E), Mumba;-400042 !6Fffe ruo., +g1-22-2575 2}4ai1 z3 *iFI/Fax.: +91-22-2575 2029/35 i-i-dUEmsr : dgship{gsgnic.in kfff5elwebsrto: www.dgshipprng.gov.in