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Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
D G Shipping rolls out verification process to weed out seafarers holding fraudulent certificates
Advt Advt By , ETInfra Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. Get updates on your preferred social platform Follow us for the latest news, insider access to events and more. Allaying concerns over loss of jobs due to its July circular, the Directorate General of Shipping has stated that Indian seafarers are not being debarred or disqualified from sailing per se and can continue to sail in their respective ranks based on the genuine qualification certificates provided their documentation is found to be in assess the authenticity of certificates issued to Indian seafarers by foreign maritime administrations that are not recognised by India, the D G Shipping has put in place a verification process. The move comes in the wake of concerns expressed by unions that the circular issued by the maritime regulator on July 18 would hurt thousands of seafarers' employed on foreign flagged a validation process aimed at weeding out Indian seafarers holding fraudulently obtained Certificate of Competency (CoC) and Certificate of Proficiency (CoP), India's maritime regulator has asked the affected seafarers to submit their original training and certification records through the D G Shipping-approved Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) agents who have hired them on the last documents to be submitted includes CoC/CoP issued by state parties which are not recognised by India, STCW modular courses relevant to the CoC/CoP, competency course relevant to the CoC and seagoing service records with copies of the Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) showing the relevant sea service preceding the issuance of the CoC/CoP, according to an addendum issued by the D G Shipping on August documents and records have to be submitted along with a notarised affidavit, duly sworn and signed by the seafarer, attesting their RPSL agents have been asked to submit a separate case file for each seafarer along with the documents and records to the D G Shipping within 30 days.A Committee notified by the D G Shipping will then undertake verification of the seafarers' certificates and assess the authenticity of the certificates issued by the foreign administrations and training providers.'If the documents are found to be genuine and meeting the requirements of the STCW Convention, then the seafarers' shall be permitted to join vessels immediately. If not, the reports will be forwarded to the concerned maritime administration for cancellation of CoC/CoP and the RPSL agency and the seafarer will be duly informed about the action being initiated,' Capt Ravi Singh Sikarwar, Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG (Technical) wrote in the August 5 D G Shipping reiterated that its July 18 circular 'does not impose any blanket restriction or prohibition on seafarers from continuing their employment or sailing'.'The circular merely mandates verification of certificates of the seafarers by the RPSL agency, holding qualifications from certain foreign administrations, in the interest of safeguarding maritime safety and regulatory compliance. The seafarers are not being debarred or disqualified from sailing per se; they can continue to sail in their respective ranks based on the genuine CoC/CoP, provided their documentation is found to be in order. The intent of the circular is purely regulatory and preventive, aimed at identifying and acting against fraudulent practices, without causing undue hardship to genuine seafarers,' the regulator D G Shipping said it has received representation from seafarers' unions on the July 18 circular, expressing their concern and the need to have a validation process for seafarers with genuine certificates.'At the same time, all the industry associations and the seafarers' unions expressed support for the cleanup efforts of the DGS and stressed that action should be taken against persons holding fraudulent certificates ,' the D G Shipping added.
Time of India
01-08-2025
- Business
- Time of India
D G Shipping urged to roll back circular barring crew holding certificates through fraudulent means from sailing
Advt Advt By , ETInfra Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals. Subscribe to Newsletter to get latest insights & analysis in your inbox. Get updates on your preferred social platform Follow us for the latest news, insider access to events and more. Pressure is building up on the Directorate General of Shipping to scrap its July 18 circular that barred Indian seafarers holding certificates issued by the maritime administration of countries that are not recognised by India from sailing on foreign flagged ships The D G Shipping circular was aimed at curbing the practice of seafarers obtaining Certificate of Competency (CoC) and Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) from foreign administrations through what it calls 'fraudulent' much as 80 per cent of the Indian seafarers are employed on foreign flagged move, though, has sparked widespread criticism over fears that thousands of Indian seafarers would lose expected, at least a couple of individuals have filed petitions in court seeking to reverse the circular issued by the maritime Thursday, hundreds of seafarers, under the banner of the Forward Seamen's Union of India, staged a demonstration in front of the office of the Directorate General of Shipping demanding withdrawal of the has opposed the new regulatory directive that mandates Indian seafarers recruited by Recruitment and Placement Services License (RPSL) agencies for working on foreign-flagged vessels to possess a valid Certificate of Competency (CoC) or Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) issued only by an Indian maritime authority, or countries with mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with India such as Malaysia, the UAE, South Korea, Sweden, UK and Indian Seafarers holding CoC/CoP and modular course certificates issued by Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland may be accepted for recruitment if the certificates were obtained by attending training in these countries.'The circular further excludes CoCs issued by several International Maritime Organisation (IMO) white-listed countries like Panama, Liberia, Honduras, Belize, Bahamas, and Cook Islands directly threatening the employability of thousands of Indian seafarers, many of whom possess legitimately acquired certifications from these jurisdictions,' said Manoj Yadav, General Secretary, Forward Seamen's Union of the mandate to verify the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers), 1978 ( STCW Convention ) certificates only from D G Shipping approved institutes has created significant barriers and fears of disqualification, even among genuinely trained professionals, Yadav FSUI reckons that thousands of Indian seafarers will face career disruption, disqualification, and financial insecurity due to the circular which will increase the burden of compliance, due diligence, and legal ambiguity for RPSL agencies and shipping the order would risk closure of maritime training institutes outside the D G Shipping approval list while potentially creating tensions with flag states whose certifications are now deemed non-compliant, raising diplomatic FSUI has submitted a representation to the D G Shipping seeking roll back of the July circular as well as its 2023 order stipulating age norms for ships for saving thousands of seafarer jobs. The representation also sought protection of seafarers abandoned at foreign ports, grant access to shore leave for all seafarers visiting Indian ports and provide pension benefits to a meeting with the Additional Director General of Shipping, FSUI urged the maritime administration to scrap the July circular but was told that no decision can be taken since the matter was sub to the D G Shipping, Indian seafarers have been lured by authorised as well as unauthorised RPSL agents to take up assignments on foreign flagged ships without adequate scrutiny of the fraudulent certificates issued to of the fraudulent CoC/CoP holders were found in possession of STCW course certificates issued by maritime training institutes which have not been accorded approval by the D G Shipping.'There have been Port State Control (PSC) intervention on vessels wherein engagement of seafarers with fraudulent CoCs/CoPs, and STCW course certificates have been noted with concern. As a prudent maritime administration, the Directorate General of Shipping initiated a detailed inquiry into these acts of agents and touts operating both within and outside the country,' the July 18 circular issued by the regulator inquiry revealed that seafarers sailing as ratings were lured with promises of being eligible to be issued with higher-grade Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) from foreign administrations through fraudulent means.'Fraudulent agents have been offering 'package' of delivering course certificates issued by institutes that were not approved by the Directorate General of Shipping, and the foreign CoC/CoP without any course being conducted. The inquiry had revealed that these maritime institutes did not even exist at the stated addresses,' the D G Shipping the serious nature of these violations, which undermine the fundamental principles and objectives of the STCW Convention and Rules framed under the Merchant Shipping Act, the Directorate has initiated necessary actions including the filing of criminal complaints, confiscation of such fraudulently obtained certificates, and informing the issuing authority with a request to initiate cancellation of certificates by recent times, several Certificates of Competency (CoCs) issued by a few administrations have been confiscated by the D G Shipping, as part of the investigation and identified during Port State Control inspections.'These activities which are attributable to a few unscrupulous agents has not only caused disruption to the lives of seafarers who are facing investigation by the authorities but has the potential to cause more damages in the future if not suitably addressed at this stage,' the D G Shipping wrote in the the FSUI has said that the ship age norms were issued by the D G Shipping in 2023 without a comprehensive study by a competent authority.'No data was provided regarding its impact on the strategic shipping sector, EXIM trade, or the potential loss of jobs. Although the order was later sent for review, the report is still pending. We strongly submit that India, as a developing nation, cannot afford the loss of seafarers' jobs or tonnage. While amendments to enhance vessel safety, marine environments, and seafarers' welfare are welcome, they should not jeopardize thousands of livelihoods,' Yadav pointed union has also asked the D G Shipping to take action for curbing the rising instances of Indian seafarers being abandoned across the world by unscrupulous shipping companies and RPSL agents. These workers are left without food, wages, legal support, or repatriation resulting in a humanitarian crisis demanding urgent resolution, it be sure, the government has incorporated stringent provisions in the Merchant Shipping Bill, currently before Parliament, to deal with the abandonment of Indian seafarers at foreign FSUI also highlighted that despite international norms, Indian seafarers often face denial of shore leave upon reaching destination ports, affecting their mental well-being and violating basic human rights. It has demanded a uniform, humane policy to permit shore leave in line with international union has also urged the government to roll out a nationwide seafarers' pension scheme recognising their service to national and global the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the D G Shipping to call a meeting of all relevant stakeholders, including trade unions, manning agents, training institutes, and maritime employers to discuss and resolve the critical issues in a time-bound manner, FSUI warned that seafarers would be compelled to consider industrial action to protect their livelihoods, dignity, and future if concrete steps are not taken within a reasonable time frame.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
US Senate confirms former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel
WASHINGTON, – A former Arkansas governor is now engaged in international diplomacy. The U.S. Senate confirmed the former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel in a Wednesday vote. The 53-46 vote was generally along party lines, with the lone Democrat, Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania), voting in favor of confirmation. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's nomination as Israel ambassador approved by Senate committee, floor vote to follow Huckabee was the 44th governor of Arkansas and father of current Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. He was nominated for the ambassador role shortly after President Donald Trump took office. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmed him for ambassadorship on April 1, leading to the full body's vote on Wednesday. Trump picks former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel An ordained Southern Baptist minister, Huckabee has led multiple tours to Israel. According to the U.S. State Department Certificate of Competency, he 'has a deep familiarity with Israel's people and its leaders.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's nomination as Israel ambassador approved by Senate committee, floor vote to follow
Video: Senate confirmation hearings held for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's Israel ambassadorship WASHINGTON – A former Arkansas governor's move to ambassadorship cleared a hurdle on Tuesday after a Senate committee vote. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved former Gov. Mike Huckabee as the nominee for ambassador to Israel. Huckabee, the state's 44th governor and father of current Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, was nominated by President Donald Trump shortly after he took office in January. Trump picks former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee to be ambassador to Israel The committee approved Huckabee's nomination, along with Ron Johnson's nomination as ambassador to Mexico and Kevin Cabrera's nomination as ambassador to Panama. Foreign Relations Committee chair Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) said the committee would continue to support Trump's nominees. 'With the passage of these three qualified nominees, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee has now approved the nomination of 10 of President Trump's national security nominees,' Risch said. 'We will do all we can to keep up this quick pace to ensure President Trump and Secretary Rubio have the support they need. I urge my colleagues to confirm these qualified nominees when they come to the Senate floor.' Senate confirmation hearings held for former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's Israel ambassadorship An ordained Southern Baptist minister, Huckabee has led multiple tours to Israel. According to the U.S. State Department Certificate of Competency, he 'has a deep familiarity with Israel's people and its leaders.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
