The minimum safe manning scale for international voyages sets the nautical crew every Indian ship must carry under DGS Circular No. 54 of 2025, Annexure A. A vessel under 200 GT needs a master, one deck officer, and four ratings. A ship above 3000 GT needs up to 11 nautical crew, plus separate engine room … 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
What is DNS Course in Merchant Navy? Eligibility & Career
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
Explaining India’s maritime law on pollution prevention from vessels. Learn about ship responsibilities, government powers & international standards.
Understand MS Act 2025 covering mandatory audits, surveys & certifications for vessels, companies and ports, along with the rule making powers of central government.
If you are a ship owner or ship operator, or you work on a ship in any capacity, you must know about this. DGMA has come out with a new order called DGMA Order No. 02 of 2026, and it was issued on 11th March 2026. This order is about satellite phones and satellite communication … Read more
Imagine a recruiting agent trying to send workers abroad for employment, but the Emigration Clearance (EC) application keeps getting rejected due to documentation errors. This situation became increasingly common on the eMigrate system, where many Foreign Employer (FE) Rationalization EC applications were delayed because of incomplete or inconsistent documents submitted by recruiting agents. To solve … 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
