India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued a draft circular outlining measures against 86 vessels linked to recurrent cases of seafarer abuse, inadequate working conditions, detentions by port authorities, and operation without essential paperwork. This initiative arises amid growing concerns voiced by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) regarding record-high abandonment rates of seafarers.
Dated September 5, the draft circular indicates that the DGS has received numerous complaints regarding the abandonment, detention, or arrest of Indian seafarers on certain vessels. Many of these vessels lack mandatory documentation, including valid Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance, and there are concerns about poor compliance from recruitment and placement agencies responsible for ensuring proper documentation for seafarers.
The DGS emphasizes that, in many cases, there has been no response from the respective flag states or port states when the DGS has sought clarifications regarding these vessels. Under maritime labor conventions, countries have obligations to address issues when owners or operators abandon vessels within their registries.
Key issues cited include non-payment of wages, failure to ensure repatriation, and provision of unsafe and inhumane working conditions. Some vessels have been detained by port authorities and have been implicated in cheating and fraud cases. The identification of the 86 vessels is based on their severity, frequency of violations, and challenges in enforcement.
Among these ships, the product tanker Eagle S stands out. It is involved in an ongoing case in Finland where it is alleged to have intentionally damaged undersea cables by dragging its anchor, with three crew members, including an Indian national, currently facing trial. The list encompasses a variety of vessels, including general cargo ships, tankers, and a RoPax.
In response, the draft circular mandates that recruiting and placement agencies cease the recruitment of Indian seafarers for the identified blacklisted vessels. They are also instructed to facilitate the prompt sign-off of Indian crew members at the nearest port and ensure their safe repatriation to India, along with the fulfillment of entitled wages and welfare provisions. The agencies must submit reports within 14 days, detailing the status and wages of seafarers on the affected vessels, as well as any outstanding payments. Failure to comply could lead to the suspension or revocation of their licenses.
The ITF has called for urgent action, noting that abandonment rates among seafarers are alarmingly high, with 2,648 cases documented across 259 vessels in 2025 alone, representing an 87% increase from 2023. This figure surpasses the total number of abandonments reported for all of 2024, highlighting the critical need for intervention and regulation within the maritime industry to protect seafarers’ rights and wellbeing.
