**Executive Summary**
This DGS Circular No. 43 of 2025, issued on October 1, 2025, addresses the prevention of forged entries in Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs) by RPSL agents, shipping companies, and seafarers. It highlights instances of fraudulent sea service entries and unauthorized ship stamps and emphasizes the importance of CDC integrity. The circular outlines directives for compliance and penalties for violations.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Problem Statement:**
* Instances of forged or fraudulently inserted sea service entries in CDCs have been noted.
* Unauthorized ship stamps are being used, often involving RPS entities or persons falsely claiming RPS license.
* **Importance of CDC:**
* CDC is a vital legal document under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and CDC rules.
* It is an official record of sea service critical for Indian maritime credential credibility, safety standards and compliance.
* **Penalties:**
* Under the amended Section 436 of the Merchant Shipping Act, forging or fraudulently altering a CDC or using such documents can result in a fine of up to Rs. 2,00,000.
* **Directives:**
* RPSL agencies, shipping companies, and Masters must refrain from making or facilitating fraudulent CDC entries.
* Only authorized Masters can authenticate sea service records based on actual onboard service.
* Verifiable sea service data must be uploaded and preserved in the DG Shipping e-Governance system.
* Suspected forged CDC cases must be immediately reported for cancellation and deletion.
* **Liabilities for Fraudulent Practices:**
* RPSL agencies, shipping companies, or seafarers involved in fraudulent practices will face:
* Suspension or cancellation of RPSL license.
* Blacklisting and denial of manning approvals for up to five years.
* Penal action under Section 436 of the Merchant Shipping Act.
* Notification to Flag States, P&I Clubs, and Port State Control (PSC) authorities.
* Debarment from joining ship and CDC suspension for a minimum of one year.
* **Stakeholder Responsibilities:**
* INSA, ICSSA, FOSMA, MASSA, trade unions, RPSL companies, maritime training institutes, and other stakeholders must formulate and implement internal procedures to prevent fraudulent practices.
* Stakeholders should sensitize members and ensure compliance to maintain transparency, safety, and integrity.
* Seamen Employment Offices, Government Shipping Offices, and Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs) must ensure strict compliance with Section 436 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (as amended) and exercise due diligence.
**Impact Analysis**
**RPSL Agencies & Shipping Companies**
* **Impact**
* Must ensure compliance with directives to avoid penalties such as license suspension, blacklisting, and fines.
* **Action Required**
* Implement strict controls to prevent fraudulent CDC entries. Report any suspected cases.
**Masters of Indian-Flagged Vessels**
* **Impact**
* Accountable for authenticating sea service records accurately based on actual onboard service.
* **Action Required**
* Only enter and authenticate genuine sea service records in CDCs.
**Seafarers**
* **Impact**
* Protected from unscrupulous practices; face penalties if involved in fraudulent activities.
* **Action Required**
* Ensure CDC entries are genuine; avoid involvement in fraudulent activities, which can result in debarment and CDC suspension.
**Maritime Training Institutes**
* **Impact**
* Responsible for educating stakeholders to prevent recurrence of fraudulent practices.
* **Action Required**
* Formulate and implement all necessary internal procedures and safeguards.
**Seamen Employment Offices, Government Shipping Offices, and Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs)**
* **Impact**
* Oversee compliance with the Merchant Shipping Act and ensure integrity of maritime certification processes.
* **Action Required**
* Enforce Section 436 of the Merchant Shipping Act and exercise due diligence in all relevant cases.
Key Entities Referenced
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: Indian law that governs maritime activities and is referenced for legal authority and penalties.
Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC): A vital legal document for Indian seafarers that serves as an official record of sea service.
Merchant Shipping (Recruitment and Placement of Seafarers) Rules, 2016: Rules governing the recruitment and placement of seafarers, whose violation is linked to potential penalties.
Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023: Act amending the Merchant Shipping Act, particularly regarding penalties for offenses.
Directorate General of Shipping: The issuing authority of this circular, responsible for maritime affairs, and involved in addressing fraudulent activities related to CDCs.
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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.
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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
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