Regulator bars 366 foreign-flagged ships from hiring Indian seafarers
NEW DELHI: DG Delivery, the maritime regulator, on Thursday prohibited 366 foreign-flagged vessels from partaking Indian seafarers as they’re accused of abandoning sailors – by way of non-payment of wages, denial of compensation in demise or lacking instances, subjecting crew members to undue hardships and lack of help in repatriation of Indian seafarers. It is a violation of nationwide maritime laws and worldwide obligations, DG Delivery mentioned whereas cautioning Recruitment and Placement Service Licence (RPSL) holders towards inserting seafarers on these vessels. In a round issued to RPSL corporations and all Indian seafarers, it put 278 vessels below “restricted” class and the remaining 88 below “blacklisted” class. DG Delivery additionally directed all RPSLs to submit particulars of Indian seafarers engaged on these vessels inside 14 days. “…in view of the grave violations of seafarer welfare, abandonment practices and non-compliance with worldwide conventions, the 366 vessels are hereby prohibited from partaking Indian seafarers by way of any RPSL firm accepted by DG Delivery with instant impact, except compliance with the foregoing provisions is duly ensured,” the maritime regulator mentioned in its order.
