🇮🇳 India — DGMA tracker
India — DGMA tracker
Urgent Official
No agency jobs on Sarawak-only vessels any more
Young Indian seafarers have died again and again on small Malaysian-flag vessels, says DGMA Circular 66 of 2026 (8 Oct). So licensed RPSL agencies may no longer recruit or deploy Indian seafarers on vessels that work only in Sarawak's inland, river, coastal or port waters. Offer letters and contracts for these jobs must not be processed.
What to do: Offered a job on a small vessel working only in Sarawak? That is outside the agency's licence. Say no and report it to the DGMA 24x7 helpline.
Affects: Ratings and cadets most of all, but every RPSL placement When: 8 Oct 2026
India — DGMA tracker
Urgent Official
GP Rating and CCMC exit exams now cost ₹2,500
DGMA Order 24 of 2026 raises the exit-exam fee for GP Rating (GS/MEK) and CCMC courses. From 1 November, the fee goes from ₹1,700 to ₹2,500 per candidate, plus GST. DGMA says the new rates will not change for five years except in exceptional cases.
What to do: Sitting a GP Rating or CCMC exit exam soon? Ask your institute which fee applies to your exam date.
Affects: GP Rating and CCMC (cook) candidates When: 1 Nov 2026
India — DGMA tracker
Urgent Official
Paper medicals get two more months, then e-Samudra only
Addendum 01 to DGMA Circular 57 of 2026 (30 Sep) gives more time for the switch-over of medical fitness certificates. DGMA-approved doctors may keep issuing paper certificates until 1 December 2026, not stop on 2 October. After that, your certificate must be issued through the e-Samudra portal.
What to do: Medical due in December or later? Before you book it, check that your doctor already issues certificates through e-Samudra.
Affects: All seafarers; DGMA-approved medical practitioners When: Manual issue ends 1 Dec 2026
India — DGMA tracker
Urgent Official
Institutes and agencies must display DGMA's 24x7 helpline
DGMA Circular 67 of 2026 (9 Oct) applies to every maritime training institute and RPSL agency. Each must display the DGMA 24x7 grievance helpline at reception and on notice boards, in English and Hindi. DGMA will check this during inspections. The numbers in the circular: India toll-free 1800-889-7768, international toll-free +1-888-988-0256, WhatsApp +91 8655856830.
What to do: Save the helpline numbers in your phone before your next joining. The circular is a scanned copy, so check the numbers against it.
Affects: All seafarers and trainees; MTIs and RPSL agencies When: 9 Oct 2026
India — DGMA tracker
Urgent Official
Only the Master signs your CDC, once, at sign-off
DGMA Circular 61 of 2026 (24 Sep) makes it clear: the Master signs the CDC booklet only once, at sign-off. Companies, RPS agencies, unions, associations and consulates cannot endorse or certify sea service in the CDC. The circular also notes that the Merchant Shipping (CDC) Rules, 2026 replace the 2017 Rules, and the booklet format is being revised.
What to do: When you sign on, check that the ship's name, official number, tonnage, sign-on date, your rank and the voyage description are entered. Get the Master's signature before you walk down the gangway.
Affects: All CDC holders When: 24 Sep 2026
India — DGMA tracker
Urgent Official
Steam-only or motor-only MEO I/II? How to add the other
DGMA Circular 65 of 2026 (29 Sep) covers Indian MEO Class I or II holders whose CoC is limited to steam or to motor. They can get a MEO Class IV endorsement for the other propulsion type in one of two ways. The first way is the DGMA-approved steam/motor power-plant simulator course. The second way is at least one month as Assistant Engineer on a ship of 750 kW or more, with the Chief Engineer's testimonial. Then pass the MEO Class IV oral at an MMD.
What to do: Want to skip the sea-time route? Book the simulator course, then apply to your MMD for the Class IV oral.
Affects: MEO Class I and II holders with a steam-only or motor-only CoC When: 29 Sep 2026
India — DGMA tracker
Urgent Official
CoC and CoP validity extended by three months for seafarers on board (DGMA Circular 64)
DGMA Circular 64 of 2026 (28 Sep) extends CoCs, CoPs, CoC endorsements and STCW safety-course certificates (PST, FPFF, PSSR, PSCRB, AFF, MFA, MC). The extension is three months from expiry, or until sign-off, whichever is earlier. It covers only Indian seafarers on board on the date of the circular. They must be unable to renew because of the security situation in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Black Sea and Middle East. (Corrected 10 Oct, after Mariners Digest read the scanned circular.)
What to do: Certificate expiring while you are on board? Keep a copy of the circular with your documents and plan the renewal for your first leave.
Affects: Indian seafarers on board on 28 Sep 2026 When: 28 Sep 2026
📜 IMO & rules
IMO & rules
Reported
New NOx Code rules for modified engines are in force
Amendments to the NOx Technical Code 2008 came into force on 1 September 2026. They set how a marine diesel engine is certified after a substantial modification, or when it is certified to a NOx Tier it did not meet when installed. A second set, on engines with multiple operating profiles, follows on 1 March 2027.
What to do: Engine modification or upgrade planned? C/E, ask the company and class how the engine will be re-certified before the work starts.
Affects: Owners and engineers on ships with engine modifications planned When: 1 Sep 2026; next set 1 Mar 2027
IMO & rules
Reported
IMO Net-Zero Framework: talks resume in late November
The IMO Net-Zero Framework is still not adopted. The intersessional GHG group meets 23–27 November, MEPC 85 meets 30 November – 3 December, and the adjourned extraordinary session may resume on 4 December.
What to do: Nothing changes on board yet. If your company runs carbon or fuel plans, watch the December outcome.
Affects: Whole industry; mainly shore management When: Nov–Dec 2026
