KOCHI: The Kerala Maritime Board plans to launch approved maritime training courses at its facilities in Kodungallur and Neendakara, following a directive from the Director General of Shipping (DGS). This decision comes after the DGS issued an order on August 1 prohibiting private training centers from offering maritime courses without necessary approvals.
The DGS emphasized that maritime education for Indian seafarers must adhere to strict national and international standards set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Concerns were raised about foreign governments allowing private training centers to issue STCW certificates within India, many of which lack DGS approval, rendering such activities unauthorized and illegal.
The order asserts that any maritime training conducted without DGS approval is invalid. It prohibits foreign entities from delivering training in India unless they obtain prior written consent from the DGS. Non-compliance with this directive will result in legal action and blacklisting of the offending entities.
The DGS has urged ship owners and maritime training institutes to avoid partnerships with unapproved foreign providers and instructed any foreign administration wishing to operate in India to submit a formal proposal for approval.
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