नौवहन महानिदेशालय
Directorate General of Shipping
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Government of India
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Shipping Master

  • The Government Shipping Office at Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai are established under Section 11 of MS Act 1958.
  • The Govt. Shipping Office is headed by the Shipping Master who is supported by Dy. Shipping Master, Asstt. Shipping Master, and other supporting staff.
  • The Shipping Office functions under the direct administrative control of the respective / Jurisdictional Mercantile Marine Department Head Quarters.
  • Duties of Shipping Master are mentioned under Section 89 of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958:
    • Superintending and facilitating the engagement and discharge of seamen in the manner provided in this act.
    • Provide means for securing the presence on board at the proper times of the seamen who are so engaged.
    • Hear and decide disputes under Section 132 of M.S. Act, 1958 between a Master, owner or agent of a ship and any of the crew of the ship.
    • Perform such other duties relating to seamen, apprentices and merchant ships as are for the time being committed to them by or under this act.
    • Issuance of Continuous Discharge Certificate as per provisions of Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate) Rules, 2017.
    • Issuance of Biometric Seafarer’s Identity Document as per provisions of Merchant Shipping (SID) Rules, 2016.
    • Issuance of Certificate of Competency as Cook.
    • Look after engagement and discharge of seafarers and collection of Shipping & Discharging Fees for Sign on / Sign off of seafarers from shipping companies.
    • Collection of Seamen’s Welfare Levy fees under Merchant Shipping (Levy of Seamen’s Welfare Fee) Rules, 2017.
    • Conduct onboard investigation u/s 452 of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 in case of Death / Missing of seafarers onboard Indian flagged ships.