The Director General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) plans to blacklist 86 foreign ships due to their involvement in the abandonment, detention, or arrest of Indian seafarers. This decision aims to address human rights issues impacting the shipping industry and India’s aspirations to expand its crew supply globally. A draft proposal released on September 5 outlines that Recruitment and Placement Services License (RPSL) holders will be prohibited from employing Indian seafarers on these vessels.
RPSL entities must ensure that Indian seafarers currently on these ships are signed off at the nearest port and repatriated to India, with their wages and entitlements settled. Companies that have previously deployed seafarers on these vessels must report their employment details to the DGMA, and non-compliance could lead to severe penalties, including license suspension.
The DGMA’s actions follow numerous complaints regarding seafarer abandonment and poor compliance from RPSL companies. Many identified vessels lack essential documentation and insurance. The situation has caused significant hardship for seafarers and their families, undermining India’s commitments under the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, to ensure decent working conditions and wage protection.
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