The Continuous Discharge Certificate is the single most important document in an Indian seafarer’s career. If you’re wondering how to apply for CDC online, the entire process runs through the DGMA e-Governance portal. CDC stands for Continuous Discharge Certificate. It functions as your seafarer’s passport, recording every sea service detail across your career. Without a … Read more
Safe manning for river-sea vessels on daylight voyages comes from Annexure F-5 of DGMA Circular No. 54 of 2025, and it applies the moment an RSV Type 2, 3, or 4 leaves harbour limits for a genuine daylight run between two nearby ports. A vessel under 200 GT needs 4 nautical crew. A vessel from … Read more
Minimum safe manning for Indian coastal vessels in harbour operations comes from Annexure F-1 of Circular No. 54 of 2025, and it sets one of the lightest crew scales in the entire circular. A vessel under 200 GT needs just 3 nautical crew. A vessel at 6000 GT still needs only 8, far fewer than … Read more
Minimum safe manning requirements for foreign offshore areas come from Annexure E-2 of Circular No. 54 of 2025, and they set the strictest certificate standard of any offshore scale in the circular. Every vessel, even one under 200 GT, needs a master holding a foreign-going certificate. There is no NCV option anywhere on this scale, … Read more
The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has rolled out BSID Version 2.0 for issuance of the Biometric Seafarer’s Identity Document to Indian seafarers, effective 1st August 2026, via DGMA Circular No. 44 of 2026. If you’re wondering how to get BSID card under this updated system, the answer is simpler than the old process. … Read more
The movement of seafarers through Indian ports depends on efficient immigration procedures that ensure both operational continuity and regulatory compliance. To streamline these processes, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has introduced DGMA Circular 38 of 2026, bringing revised guidelines for Shore Leave Pass (SLP) and crew change (sign-on/sign-off). The updated provisions aim to … Read more
Check out the updated 2026 CDC eligibility criteria and new DGMA rules. Find approved pathways, age limits, and guidelines starting August 1 What are the reasons behind the CDC Eligibility Criteria 2026? CDC Eligibility Criteria 2026 is one of the most structural and revolutionary changes coming in India’s marine history. Developed by the Director General … Read more
India has long been one of the world’s largest suppliers of maritime manpower. To understand how this workforce has evolved over time, the Director General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) issued Circular 06 of 2026, presenting official statistics on the engagement of Indian seafarers on Indian-flag and foreign-flag merchant ships from 2010 to 2025. This blog … Read more
An easy breakdown of India’s STCW certification statistics for 2025, covering officer licenses, safety training, maritime trends and its impact on you.
A simplified explanation of the MS, Act 2025 covering vessel safety and security, seaworthiness, certification, reporting, & international compliance.
