Kolkata: In order to keep track of Indian seafarers on both Indian and foreign-flagged vessels, the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has launched the Seafarer Tracking Module on its e-NAVIK portal.
“In view of the prevailing geopolitical tensions and heightened maritime security threats, merchant shipping and seafarers are facing increased risks in various regions, particularly the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb, Black Sea and Somalia. A significant number of Indian seafarers are serving onboard both Indian-flagged and foreign-flagged vessels operating in or transiting through these regions, thereby exposing them to the associated maritime security risks,” the DGMA has said in a circular dated September 4, 2026.
In view of the above, the DGMA has found it necessary to establish a mechanism for monitoring Indian seafarers operating in these areas, with a view to facilitating timely information, coordination and prompt response in the event of any eventuality. The module is currently operating in its beta version and once updated by the Recruitment and Placement Service Licencees (RPSLs) and shipping companies, it will enable the monitoring of Indian seafarers effectively.
The DGMA has accordingly asked all RPSLs and shipping companies to update the module with details of the seafarer, the vessel and its position. “While the details are provided in the user manual, the brief information required to be fumished/updated is as follows: Vessel identification and voyage-related data; Details of Indian seafarers onboard; RPSL particulars, wherever applicable. Further, it may be noted that for cases where the position of the vessel is not known, the vessel may be added in the module by selecting the geographical region from the drop-down menu, and positional data may be updated when available,” the DGMA has said.
Once duly updated, the module will provide a centralised database of Indian seafarers’ onboard vessels, especially those operating in high-risk regions. These region-wise details about the vessels and seafarers would facilitate enhanced maritime coordinated response during emergencies.
“With immediate effect, all RPSLs and concerned shipowners/operators shall ensure that all vessels, along with its Indian crew on board, which are operating in the above-mentioned high-risk area are updated in this module on priority. Thereafter, only the vessel’s position (daily basis) and crew sign-on & sign-off need to be updated at regular intervals,” the authority has stated. “While it is endeavoured to track Indian seafarers on board ships globally, however, to start with it is requested that all RPSL’s, and Indian shipowners/operators may update all the vessels with Indian seafarers in the following high-risk areas, immediately: Persian Gulf (West of Strait of Hormuz); Gulf of Oman (East of Strait of Hormuz); Red Sea; Gulf of Aden; Black Sea,” the circular says.
“This Directorate is continuously looking at various options where the system can be automated, requiring minimum manual updation, so while this is being carried out, it is requested that all stakeholders immediately start updating their vessel(/s) data in this module as mentioned. It is also clarified that the data updated on the module, particularly information relating to the position of vessels, shall be treated as confidential and access-controlled. Such information shall be accessible only to authorised personnel through designated login credentials, as per their respective access permissions,” it has clarified.
As per details shared by the Ministry of External Affairs, 10 Indian seafarers have lost their lives due to the Middle East crisis. After a brief lull, hostilities have resumed in the region. Five more Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead in the Black Sea region.
(IANS)
