Permission to foreign seafarers to be employed on Indian flag vessels globalized industries operating

Applicable to: Indian shipowners and companies operating Indian flag vessels

Effective Date: 15th July, 2008

Superseded Circulars: None mentioned

Key Changes and Requirements

Indian shipowners can now employ foreign seafarers on Indian flag vessels under certain conditions.

Manning: Must be in accordance with the prescribed "Safe Manning Document".
Number of Foreign Seafarers: Not more than two at a time, with an Indian Master.
Emergency Situations: Next in command (Indian national) handles classified publications.
Eligible Countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Lithuania, Italy, Malaysia, Romania, Russia, UK, Ukraine.
Certification: Foreign seafarers must have a CDC or Certificate of Discharge, knowledge of Indian maritime law, and an endorsement from the Indian Maritime Administration.
Permission: Employment permission is case-by-case, requiring clearances from Ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs.

II/4 Eligible Ratings and Certificates

Only officers certified under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 are eligible. Seamen are not included.

Important Note

This order does not apply to seamen who are not certified as officers.

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