The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) is set to blacklist 86 foreign vessels for their role in the abandonment, detention, and arrest of Indian seafarers, in what officials describe as a decisive step to safeguard seafarers’ rights and India’s reputation as a major global crew supplier.
Under a draft proposal issued on September 5, Recruitment and Placement Services License (RPSL) holders will be barred from recruiting, deploying, or engaging Indian seafarers on these vessels. Companies will also be required to ensure that Indian crew currently on board are signed off at the earliest port of call and repatriated safely with full settlement of wages and entitlements.
RPSL firms linked to these ships must submit detailed reports on seafarers deployed, their employment records, repatriation status, and pending wages with documentary proof. Failure to comply will attract strict action, including suspension or cancellation of licences, blacklisting of agencies, and legal proceedings.
The crackdown follows a series of complaints of seafarer abandonment, often involving vessels operating without mandatory documents such as valid Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurance. DGMA noted that many flag states and port states failed to respond to concerns, leaving seafarers stranded.
Investigations by Seamen’s Employment Offices and DGMA’s Crew Branch revealed recurring violations, including non-payment of wages, lack of repatriation support, unsafe working conditions, fraudulent ownership structures, and poor compliance by certain RPSL companies.
“Indian seafarers and their families are the ultimate sufferers—facing denial of wages, uncertainty of repatriation, and immense psychological distress,” DGMA said, stressing that the move also upholds India’s commitments under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.
The 86 ships were identified based on gravity of violations, repeated offences, and enforcement challenges. Show Cause Notices have already been issued to RPSL companies linked to these vessels.
