India Gov bans foreign entities from conducting unauthorized maritime training

The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) prohibits maritime training in India by foreign maritime administrations and entities leading to issuance of STCW certificate of competencies (CoC) and certificate of proficiencies (CoP) without prior approval, according to order no. 08 of 2025 issued on August 1 by DGS.

“No foreign Government, Maritime Administration, Agency, Institution, or representative shall conduct, promote, authorize, or deliver maritime training within the territory of India leading to issuance of CoC and CoP’s under provisions of the STCW Convention, as amended including online or distance learning accessible in India – without prior written approval of the Director General of Shipping,” it said.

As disclosed, any entity found in violation of this directive shall be liable for regulatory and legal action, including blacklisting of Indian institutions or agents or seafarers involved, referral to enforcement authorities under the MS Act and the Information Technology Act and rejection of certifications or training outcomes arising from such unauthorized courses.

All ship owners, ship managers, approved maritime training institutes and other stakeholders in India are warned not to collaborate with any unapproved foreign training providers and to report any such offers or attempts to the Directorate without delay.

Any foreign administration intending to conduct maritime training in India must submit a formal proposal to the Directorate seeking prior approval, with full details about their courses, trainers, locations, as well as partnerships.

It has been brought to the attention of the Directorate that certain foreign governments, maritime administrations, and their representatives have authorized private training centers for conducting maritime training courses leading to issuance of STCW certificate of competencies and certificate of proficiencies within Indian territory.

According to DGS, many of the private training centers claiming to have authorization from foreign maritime administrations do not have approval of the Director General of Shipping.

“No training shall be deemed to be valid unless it is of such standard and type as may be approved by the Central Government and in no case inferior to that provided under the authority of the Central Government or its recognized institutions,” the DGS says.

As stated, any institution who is already conducting STCW Courses leading to the issuance of STCW Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency, including short duration modular courses on behalf of Foreign Maritime Administration, must stop all such training with immediate effect and submit all required details to DGS for scrutiny and further investigation.