DGS revises CDC guidelines to include hospitality staff

MUMBAI: The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has said that all Indian seafarers working on Indian or foreign merchant navy ships and cruise liners will now get Continuous Discharge Certificates.

In a recent order announcing change in guidelines for issuing CDC, the DGS said the certificates will be issued to hospitality staff working aboard vessels as well as new entrants while serving seafarers having experience.

"Seafarers who have working experience on board merchant vessels and have worked without an Indian CDC (will be given the CDC)," the DGS order said.

Industry body National Union of Seafarers of India said at present thousands of Indian seafarers do not hold an Indian CDC but continue working aboard foreign vessels with CDCs issued by Liberian, Bahamanian or Panamanian authorities.

Such seafarers, however, encounter many problems from immigration authorities at many ports, particularly in the Gulf region, it said.

The DGS order said there are immense opportunities for employment in upcoming sectors like cruise ships and added that due to the non-availability of the CDCs, the seafarers' prospects also get reduced.

"The modification of CDC guidelines will generate more employment opportunities for Indian seafarers," NUSI general secretary Abdulgani Y Serang said.