The Directorate General for Shipping (DG Shipping) has taken action against 97 hiring and placement services (RPS) due to breaches of maritime regulations, blocking 74 of them. Between January 1, 2024, and May 5, 2025, five agencies faced license suspension for serious violations. The DG Shipping aims to promote maritime education while safeguarding the employment and welfare of Indian seafarers.
This crackdown stems from issues involving fraudulent practices within RPS agencies that exploit seafarers through fake documentation. Consequently, many seafarers are left abandoned and subjected to harsh conditions aboard foreign vessels. Currently, over 250,000 seafarers are employed in India, struggling with systemic exploitation. Reports indicate that there are more than 71 ongoing cases of misconduct involving Indian seafarers placed on foreign ships.
DG Shipping has temporarily suspended the E-Governance Online Privileges of affected RPS agencies until further investigations. Under ongoing scrutiny, some licenses may be suspended or permanently revoked. The initiative aligns with the Maritime Labor Convention (MLC) 2006, emphasizing robust regulation of private mediation services to protect seafarers’ rights. Industry experts claim that many young seafarers are face-to-face with subpar employment options amid a plethora of RPS agencies operating without quality assurance.
