Yes, according to the Directives of the DG Shipping, it is compulsory for all theseafarers to register with the e-Governance cell of the DG Shipping and update their profile at regular intervals. Please note that the process of registration is very simple. You need to go to the website www.dgshipping.gov.in and click the Seafarers Registration under the main heading ‘E-Governance.’ Upon completion of registration, you can update your profile using the simple steps stated on the website. Please note that the ‘Seafarers Registration’ process can be completed easily if you use ‘Internet Explorer or Mozilla’ browser.

• Procedures to be followed for uploading Photograph / Signature.
• The candidates who were issued INDoS numbers through Maritime Training Institutes (MTI) after the issuance of DGS Training Circular No. 08 of 2019 dated 30.04.2019 and desiring to change their photograph / signature shall follow procedures as outlined in the said Training Circular.
• The seafarers who were issued INDoS numbers prior to the issuance of DGS Training Circular No. 08 of 2019 dated 30.04.2019 and desiring to change their photograph / signature in order to acquire e-pass shall follow the following procedures:
  • Only the seafarers who are signing ON or signing OFF shall be entertained. The permission shall not be granted if the photograph or signature is clearly visible.
  • The employing company shall verify the photograph / signature of the seafarer against the passport and send change request by email to ttc-dgs@nic.in along with a copy of the passport.
  • Upon satisfaction, Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) / Maritime Training Trust (MTT) cell shall grant permission to change photograph / signature.
  • Such permission for change in photograph / signature shall be provisional and subject to verification at a later stage.
  • The new photograph / signature should be as per the specified requirements.
  • If it comes to the notice of the Directorate that the company / candidate has falsified photograph / signature, strict disciplinary action shall be initiated against the company and the candidate. The company / candidate shall be debarred from being associated with DG Shipping for a period of up to five years.
• The seafarers / candidates who were issued INDoS numbers prior to the issuance of DGS Training Circular No. 08 of 2019 dated 30.04.2019 and desiring to change their photograph / signature in order to access e-learning shall follow the following procedures:
  • The candidate / seafarer shall send an email to any of the MTI he / she desires to join for attending the maritime course.
  • The MTI shall verify the photograph / signature of the seafarer against the passport and send change request by email to ttc-dgs@nic.in along with a copy of the passport.
  • Upon satisfaction, MMD / MTT cell shall grant permission to change photograph / signature.
  • Such permission for change in photograph / signature shall be provisional and subject to verification at a later stage.
  • The new photograph / signature should be as per the specified requirements.
  • If it comes to the notice of the Directorate that the MTI / candidate has falsified photograph / signature, strict disciplinary action shall be initiated against the MTI and the candidate. The MTI / candidate shall be debarred from being associated with DG Shipping for a period of up to five years.
• Candidates / seafarers who had uploaded their Photograph / signature earlier in their profile but the same is not visible now in their seafarer profile. Such candidates shall follow the procedure given below:
  • The candidate / seafarer shall approach his company.
  • The company shall verify the photograph / signature of the seafarer against the passport and send change request by email to ttc-dgs@nic.in along with a copy of the passport.
  • Upon satisfaction, MMD / MTT cell shall grant permission to change photograph / signature.
  • Such permission for change in photograph / signature shall be provisional and subject to verification at a later stage.
  • The new photograph / signature should be as per the specified requirements.
  • If it comes to the notice of the Directorate that the company / candidate has falsified photograph / signature, strict disciplinary action shall be initiated against the company and the candidate. The company / candidate shall be debarred from being associated with DG Shipping for a period of up to five years.
  • Please be informed that this grant of permission may take time as the priority shall be given to those requiring e-pass for Sign ON / Sign OFF.
• Candidates / seafarers who had never uploaded their Photograph / signature in their profile shall follow the procedure given below (Same procedure to be followed for uploading photograph / Signature):
  • Step 1: Go to www.dgshipping.gov.in
  • Step 2: Login to E-Governance system by entering the login credentials.
  • Step 3: Click on “Update seafarer profile”.
  • Step 4: Go to “Documents” on the top menu and click on “upload documents”.
  • Step 5: Click on “click to read photo / sign guidelines” or click below link to read the guidelines: Photo Guidelines
  • Step 6: Read instructions for uploading photograph & signature.
  • Step 7: Select “photo” from the dropdown list of “Document type”.
  • Step 8: Click on “Browse” to select the photo from your device and then click on “Upload” to upload the photo.

Don’t apply for e-pass with incorrect data fed in seafarers’ profile. Firstly, make necessary corrections and then apply for e-pass as the data are captured in the e-pass from seafarers’ profile. Necessary correction can be made by seafarer online as per INODS circular No. 02 of 2018 dated 09.03.2018 available in the DGS website in the following link: 201803230347434163720indos_cir_02of2018.pdf

Don’t apply for e-pass with incorrect data fed in seafarers’ profile. Firstly, make necessary corrections and then apply for e-pass as the data are captured in the e-pass from seafarers’ profile. The change in passport request can be made online from seafarers’ profile and submitted online with relevant enclosures. Necessary corrections would be made by INODS cell generally within 24 hours and correct data would reflect the seafarers’ profile

Each Ship owner / RPS agency has been provided with user Id & password for utilizing the various services offered under DG Shipping E-Governance portal.

Ship owner(s) have to download registration form available from DGS website in the following link: ISMCompanyRegForm.doc and the duly filled in form, signed and along with enclosures to be sent by email to egovernancedgs@nic.in. Within 24 hours the user Id and password would be emailed by E- Governance to the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai Page 5 of 9 registered email address. If you haven’t received your user Id & password in the email, please do check in the spam / junk folders.

You will be not provided with the user Id & password for utilizing the various services offered under DG Shipping E-Governance portal. You are required to go through the process of being DG Shipping approved RPS agency to be granted the necessary credentials.

Each ship owner / RPS agency has been provided with user Id & password for applying the epass for the seafarer(s) intended for crew change. Once e-pass is approved, same may be downloaded from seafarers’ profile and used for travel. Ship owner / RPS agency may refer to DGS Order 12 of 2020 available in the following linkfor the step-by-step guide for applying for e-pass for crew change: 202004220806081005154DGSOrder12of2020. pdf

If all documents are in order and available, it takes not more than 15mins to fill and submit the e-pass application form online.

Normally it is approved within 24 hours and valid for one week (7 days)

No. Request your ship owner / RPS agency to apply for fresh e-pass with your detailsas per DGS Order 12 of 2020 as detailed above in FAQ Q9.

Request your ship owner / RPS agency that they need to cancel the e-pass and again re- apply for fresh e-pass with revised details as per DGS Order 12 of 2020 as detailed above in FAQ Q9.

As soon as the e-pass is approved, an auto notification SMS is sent to seafarer’s registered mobile no. and also email notifications are sent to seafarers registered email and ship owner / RPS agency about the same. The same happens in case of rejection of a case, as soon as notification is received by email by the ship owner / RPS agency, they may log in to the system and view the application status with INDOS no. of the seafarer and may also view the reason for rejection. Rectify the issue and then you may re-apply again for e-pass.

No. When one e-pass is issued to a seafarer and is valid, the second e-pass for the same seafarer cannot be applied. Request your ship owner / RPS agency that they need to applyfor epass with known ports name. If there are any changes in the ships schedule (such as date of arrival, change in berthing port), they may cancel the e-pass and again re-apply for fresh e-pass as per DGS Order 12 of 2020 as detailed above in FAQ Q9.

The downloaded e-pass need to be submitted by RPS agency / local agents to the Local Authority (local pass issuing authority of the state such as Police Authority / Collector / District magistrate) in the area where the seafarer resides for clearance for sign-on / sign-off for issue of a transit pass for movement / travel. The transit pass (to and fro) for such movement by road, for the seafarer and one driver, willbe issued by the Government of the State / Union Territory where the seafarer resides. The transit pass (to and fro) will be issued for a fixed route and with specified validity and will have to be adhered to strictly. Such transit pass would be honored / allowed by the authorities of the State / Union Territory along the transit route

The RPS agency / local agents would apply for transit pass usually via online mode / email to Local Authority office (local pass issuing authority of the state such as Police Authority / Collector / District magistrate) where the seafarer resides for clearance for sign-on / sign-off is as decided by the State Govt. / Union Territory. Such details are usually available in State Govt. / Union Territory official website.

Please contact Ship owner / RPS agency for further details. You can also obtain the same from Port agent or from respective Ports official website.

Yes. DG Shipping has issued addendum No. 1 to DGS Order 12 of 2020 dated 06.05.2020 detailed SOP for crew changes at anchorages. Please contact Ship owner / RPS agency for further details. You can also obtain the same from Port agent or from respective Ports official website.

Please refer to the link for contact points for seafarer grievances: 202405100132574984828ContactPointsforseafarers. pdf

Indian National Data base of Seafarers (INDOS) is not a requirement by any convention. Under STCW code, PSC and those recognizing certificates of other countries for working on their flag vessels, are obliged to verify the authenticity of same before granting equivalence. Similarly, the countries issuing the certificates are obliged to have a mechanism to facilitate the confirmation of all certificates given to seafarers by employers, PSC and other flag states etc. This necessitated creation of unique number as INDOS number associated with all seafarers doing training and certification in India and endorsing of the same on all certificates issued. INDOS data center under INDOS cell managed by Maritime Training Trust (MTT) of DG Shipping was created to facilitate the same.

Please email to egovernance-dgs@nic.in with your details seeking information’s.

Please email to egovernance-dgs@nic.in with your details seeking information’s from other alternate email ID.

Login www.dgshipping.gov.in / Click E-GOVERNANCE / Choose “INDOS online” and Click “INDOS application from Existing seafarer” and fill up requisite details and submit.

Type in the web browser as www.dgshipping.gov.in / Click E-GOVERNANCE / Choose “INDOS online” and Click “INDOS application from Existing seafarer” and fill up requisite details, pay necessary fees and submit “online INDOS application form”. Indos No. will be generated and shared to the seafarer by email.

You cannot apply online by self. You may need to approach any DGS approved MTI. They will review all your documents, conduct necessary course (pre-sea / post-sea), pay necessary fees to DGS Indos cell and obtain INDOS no. for the seafarer. For fresh seafarers (who haven't done any course from DGS approved institution), you can only obtain Indos no. by approaching DGS approved MTI.

Type in the web browser as www.dgshipping.gov.in / Click E-GOVERNANCE / Log in with user Id as your Indos no. and your password (default as Indos No. +1). Click Reset Password tab and change password. Punch in values to change the password and submit.

Type in the web browser as www.dgshipping.gov.in / Click E-GOVERNANCE / Log in with user Id as your Indos no. and your password (default as Indos No. +1). Click the menu “Update seafarers profile” and update all details. Click on “Seafarer details” and submit and go to next and so on, till the last and submit. All fields marked with an (*) Asterisk are mandatory.

Type in the web browser as www.dgshipping.gov.in / Click E-GOVERNANCE / Log in with user Id as your Indos no. and your password (default as Indos No. +1). Click the menu “Update seafarers profile” and click “Document” menu and update passport details and upload scanned copies of passport to update. The submitted applications will be verified by the Indos cell and normally within 24 – 48 working hours, the application will be processed, verified, and approved.

Type in the web browser as www.dgshipping.gov.in / Click E-GOVERNANCE / Log in with user Id as your Indos no. and your password (default as Indos No. +1). Click the menu “Update seafarers profile” and click “Document” menu and click “Upload Documents” menu. Keep your scanned photograph / signatures ready and upload the same. Please read the instructions carefully provided in the upload document sections for uploading photographs / signatures in the profile.

Type in the web browser as www.dgshipping.gov.in / Click E-GOVERNANCE / Log in with user Id as your Indos no. and your password (default as Indos No. +1). Click the menu “Update seafarers profile” and click “Document” menu and click “Upload Documents” menu. Keep your scanned photograph / signatures ready and upload the same.

Select and click on the edit / upload button tab beside the photo and signatures & upload. If the edit / upload button is not available, then please email to ttc-dgs@nic.in with your name, Indos number, and scanned copies of passport, CDC, photographs / signatures, etc., seeking permission to edit.

Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) is a document of identity for seafarers. Just like a passport accounts for all international travels a person undertakes, a CDC, also called a Seaman's Book, accounts for all the seafarer's contracts and records all his/her time at sea.

Option 1: Approach DGS approved MTI. The DGS approved MTI will help in creation of Indos No., and complete 5 basic STCW courses. After that, the seafarer can apply for a fresh CDC online through their seafarer's profile.

Option 2: Apply and pass IMU CET, then get selected in a DGS approved pre-sea MTI conducting any of the pre-sea approved officers’ courses (DNS, BSc, GME, etc.). The MTI will assist in the creation of the Indos No., complete the 5 basic STCW courses, and apply for CDC online and issue it to the seafarer.

Option 3: Apply and get selected in a DGS approved pre-sea MTI conducting any of the pre-sea approved rating/miscellaneous courses (GP rating, CCMC/OCCP Catering course, ETO, etc.). The MTI will help in creation of the Indos No., complete the 5 basic STCW courses, and apply for CDC online and issue it to the seafarer.

Prior to applying, the seafarer should be clear if they want to extend the validity of their CDC or replace the old CDC and obtain a fresh one.

Fresh CDC: This means applying for a fresh CDC booklet.

Replacement CDC: If the CDC is damaged, torn, mutilated, or if the pages are exhausted, the seafarer will need to apply for a CDC replacement (i.e., a new CDC booklet).

CDC Renewal: If your CDC has expired or is going to expire, you will need to apply for CDC renewal to extend the validity of your current CDC.

In case of loss of your old CDC, you will need to apply for a duplicate CDC.

Type in the web browser as www.dgshipping.gov.in / Click E-GOVERNANCE / Log in with user Id as your Indos no. and your password (default as Indos No. +1).

Click the menu “CDC Management profile” and apply. Keep all relevant scanned copies ready for uploading, pay requisite fees and submit. A reference number will be generated, and you can verify the application status using the reference number online.

Type in the web browser as www.dgshipping.gov.in / Click E-GOVERNANCE / Log in with user Id as your Indos no. and your password (default as Indos No. +1).

Click the menu “Update seafarers profile” and click the “sea service” tab to check your sea service records.

Refer to DGS Crew Branch Cir. 01 of 2013 and request the company to submit the requisite supporting documents as listed in the said circular along with a covering letter and requisite fees to the jurisdictional DSEO office for necessary corrections.

Refer to DGS Crew Branch Cir. 29 of 2021 and the seafarer may submit the requisite supporting documents as listed in the said circular along with a covering letter and requisite fees to the jurisdictional DSEO office for necessary corrections.

Refer to DGS Crew Branch Cir. 02 of 2024 and request the company to submit the requisite supporting documents as listed in the said circular along with a covering letter and requisite fees to the jurisdictional DSEO office for necessary corrections.

Refer to DGS Crew Branch Cir. 29 of 2021 and the seafarer may submit the requisite supporting documents as listed in the said circular along with a covering letter and requisite fees to the jurisdictional DSEO office for necessary corrections.

Biometric Seafarers Identity Document (SID) is a document that includes barcoded biometrics-based identity of seafarers and a centralized database maintained in the issuing country, which can be accessed globally through an interoperable & standard biometric template. India ratified C-185 ILO convention and the issuance of new Biometric SID for its seafarers commenced in 2019.

Type in web browser address bar: www.dgshippingbsid.in and read through the instructions given at www.dgshippingbsid.in/Instructions.jsp.

1. Details in your CDC and INDOS database would be captured in your SID, hence if you wish to make any change in the INDOS and CDC database, you may please do so before applying for the SID.

2. For changes in the INDOS database such as name, date of birth, place of birth, state of birth, country of birth, nationality, height, hair color, eye color, identification mark, complexion, please send an email to INDOS cell at Ibsindos@vsnl.net with a scanned copy of the INDOS certificate, Passport, and CDC.

3. Data related to CDC and INDOS Number in the database of the DG Shipping is correct, updated, and linked in the CDC checker. If the details are not visible in the CDC checker, the candidate may approach the Indos cell for rectifications and then apply for BSID.

The application will be processed by the respective Shipping Master office chosen during the BSID application. Queries with respect to the application may be taken up with the respective Shipping Master office via email. The application reference number must be mentioned in the email. In cases where the CDC details are visible in the checker, but the INDOS number is missing or incorrect, it indicates that the CDC and INDOS data requires integration. In such cases, the seafarer may fill in the excel sheet and send it by email to the respective Shipping Master.

Refer to DGS Crew Cir. 25 of 2024 for details of the SMS alerts in Form 1.

Refer to DGS Crew Cir. 25 of 2024 for details and step-by-step flowchart for acknowledgment.

Refer to the contact details of all DGS / MMD officials dealing with crew grievances as available in the following link: grievances.pdf

Refer to the following link for other branches related FAQs: seafarers.pdf

Refer to the following link to get more details about a safe career in shipping: planning.pdf

Refer to the following link to more details about seafarers and their NoK family’s rights: Seafarers Rights at Sea

Refer to DGS Crew Cir. 25 of 20204 and also may refer to the following link to know the detailed step by step guide process related to changes in DG Shipping e-migrate system: Step-by-Step Guide to e-Migrate System

If you are a seafarer / ship owner / RPS agency and have any more questions which are not listed above, you may send an email with your query to the following DG Shipping ids:
helpdesk-dgs@nic.in; crews-dgs@nic.in; danieljohn-dgs@gov.in