Capt. Kapil Yadav 
Introduction From 1 January 2026, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) will enforce new amendments to the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) Convention and MARPOL Protocol I to address the growing concern of freight containers lost at sea. Under the updated Chapter V, Regulations 31 and 32, shipmasters will be required to report both the … Read more
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued Addendum I to Circular No. 31 of 2025 dated 05 August 2025, reinforcing its commitment to curb fraudulent certification and promote maritime safety. This regulatory update emphasizes the mandatory verification of seafarer certificates issued by foreign administrations not listed in the original circular. The initiative has garnered … Read more
As the global maritime industry accelerates toward decarbonization, India is setting a national benchmark for clean fuel compliance. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued Circular No. 32 of 2025, establishing India’s first structured framework for biofuel bunkering. This move is not just timely—it’s transformative. By regulating the safe, certified handling of biofuels like … Read more
Introduction India’s maritime regulatory authority, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), has issued Order No. 08 of 2025 to prohibit any foreign government, maritime administration, or institution from conducting STCW training in India without prior approval. This decisive move aims to safeguard Indian seafarers from unregulated training and reinforce the authority of Indian maritime standards. … Read more
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued its much-anticipated Order of 2025, introducing robust reforms to elevate India’s maritime safety, sustainability, and training standards. This order is set to impact RPSL companies, training institutes, maritime doctors, and the overall recruitment process for Indian seafarers. With growing scrutiny on international maritime compliance, the DGS Order … Read more
The STCW Annual Report 2024 (Engineering), published by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), marks a crucial milestone in India’s ongoing reform of its maritime certification system. As maritime trade becomes more digitized and demanding, the Indian maritime administration is aligning training, assessment, and certification standards with global best practices. From simulator-based assessments to full … Read more
India, as a leading hub in the global maritime industry, places strict regulations on the recruitment of seafarers through its RPSL (Recruiting and Placement Services License) system. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways updates this list annually to promote transparency and eliminate fraudulent practices. This blog provides … Read more
On July 18, 2025, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) released Circular No. 31/2025—a critical directive aimed at eliminating fake maritime certifications and strengthening the standards of crew training under international maritime conventions. The circular reiterates compliance with STCW, SOLAS, and ISM Code regulations and puts the responsibility on shipowners, RPSL agencies, and seafarers to … Read more
The year 2024 tested the nerves of seafarers and the resolve of maritime forces worldwide. From piracy in the Gulf of Aden to missile attacks in the Red Sea, shipping lanes turned into battlegrounds. The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) released the Maritime Security Review 2024, offering a deep dive into the threats faced and … Read more
India’s maritime sector is pivotal to the global shipping economy, with over 1.6 million seafarers involved in international trade and transport. In 2024, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) released a detailed Marine Safety Investigation Report, shedding light on the incidents affecting Indian-flagged vessels, Indian seafarers, and foreign-flagged ships operating within Indian waters. With 186 … Read more