Mumbai, July 21, 2025 — In a decisive move to preserve the integrity of India’s maritime workforce, the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has imposed a sweeping ban on the employment of Indian seafarers holding certificates issued by the Honduras maritime authority. This comes in response to the unearthing of a large-scale crew certificate fraud, where fake competency documents were being sold by unauthorized agents, threatening the safety and credibility of India’s maritime ecosystem.
The ban includes certificates from other questionable flag states such as Belize, Panama, Togo, and Gabon, many of which are commonly referred to as “flags of convenience.” This bold step is part of DG Shipping’s broader campaign to tackle fraudulent maritime recruitment practices and enhance Indian shipping safety standards.
What Triggered the Crew Certificate Fraud Investigation?
According to official sources, DG Shipping initiated an inquiry after receiving multiple reports of seafarers securing fake certificates of competency (CoCs) and certificates of proficiency (CoPs) from non-recognized foreign maritime administrations. These documents allowed individuals to gain employment in higher-ranking positions such as chief officer or master without undergoing legitimate training or assessment.
Investigations revealed that numerous fraudulent agents in India were selling “packages” that included forged documents, training from fictitious institutions, and even overseas endorsements from compliant registries in Honduras and Panama. This deliberate manipulation of the certification system posed significant risks to both onboard safety and international compliance obligations.
DG Shipping’s Actions: Ban, Enforcement & Accountability
The Honduras certificate ban is not just symbolic—it is backed by robust enforcement mechanisms. The DG Shipping has issued a directive that:
- Bars all shipping companies and RPSL agents (Recruitment and Placement Service License holders) from hiring Indian seafarers with certificates from flagged countries like Honduras.
- Mandates certificate verification via the DG Shipping’s official portal before any seafarer is deployed onboard.
- Initiates legal action: FIRs have been filed, fake certificates confiscated, and fraudulent agents booked under the Indian Penal Code for forgery and criminal conspiracy.
- Notifies foreign registries: The DG has sent formal requests to maritime administrations like Honduras to revoke or investigate suspicious certifications linked to Indian nationals.
This firm approach reinforces the government’s commitment to cleaning up the Indian maritime recruitment system and building trust with international regulators.
Also read: Vadhavan Port Set to Rewrite India’s Maritime Story – CM Devendra Fadnavis
Why This Crackdown Matters
The implications of crew certificate fraud are severe. A ship operated by an underqualified officer or engineer poses enormous operational, environmental, and legal risks. It also threatens India’s reputation as a reliable maritime workforce provider.
India currently supplies over 10% of the global seafarer workforce, with more than 250,000 registered Indian seafarers. Any erosion in certification credibility could result in blacklisting by international port authorities, endangering the global employability of Indian crew.
Furthermore, this scandal undermines genuine seafarers who undergo rigorous training and examinations to qualify under the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention.
Industry Reaction and Future Outlook
The maritime industry has largely welcomed the move as a “surgical strike” on certificate corruption, though some experts caution about its short-term impact on employment. Many seafarers may have unknowingly obtained certificates through intermediaries without realizing their documents’ invalidity.
To address such concerns, DG Shipping is also considering:
- Creating a whitelist of recognized international maritime administrations
- Enhancing awareness campaigns among cadets and junior officers
- Digitizing certificate issuance with blockchain-based verification systems
Industry stakeholders, including ship management companies and training institutes, have urged DG Shipping to expand mutual recognition agreements (MRAs) with transparent maritime authorities. This would ensure that valid, internationally accepted certificates are not caught in the crossfire.
A Crucial Step for Indian Shipping Safety
This latest move by DG Shipping is a clear warning to fraudsters, recruitment agents, and fake training institutes. The Honduras certificate ban is not just about punishing a few—it’s about protecting the integrity of the Indian shipping industry, ensuring compliance with global maritime laws, and safeguarding the lives of crew members and cargo.
The crackdown sets a new precedent for maritime governance in India and is expected to trigger similar action in other countries facing issues with maritime recruitment fraud.
Source : (indiashippingnews)
