🇮🇳 India — DGMA tracker
India — DGMA tracker
Urgent Official
First CDC? You now apply on the new e-Samudra portal
If you are applying for a fresh Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), you now apply on the new e-Samudra portal, esamudra.dgshipping.gov.in. This is stated in a DGMA notice dated 21 Oct 2026. The login steps and a user manual are attached to the notice as Annexures I and II. For help, write to dgs.support@gov.in or call +91-7965804875.
What to do: Applying for your first CDC: apply on esamudra.dgshipping.gov.in and follow the user manual in the notice. If you get stuck, contact the helpdesk, not an agent.
Affects: New entrants and cadets applying for a fresh Indian CDC; training institutes and RPSL agencies that help them When: Notice dated 21 Oct 2026
India — DGMA tracker
Urgent Official
DGMA draft circular on DPA qualification and experience - comments by 31 Oct
If you plan to move ashore as a DPA, read this draft. DGMA has published a draft ISM circular, dated 21 Oct 2026, on the minimum qualification and experience for the Designated Person Ashore (DPA) and Alternate DPA. It builds on Rule 7 of the Merchant Shipping (Safety Management) Rules, 2026. Under that rule, every company must designate a DPA and nominate an alternate. The draft covers companies running passenger ships of any size. It also covers tankers, bulk carriers, other cargo ships, MODUs and domestic vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more.
What to do: DPAs, and ex-masters and C/Es who want a shore DPA job: read the draft. Send your comments to praveen.nair@gov.in by 31 Oct 2026, subject 'inputs on the draft ISM Circular'.
Affects: DPAs and alternate DPAs of Indian companies, senior officers moving ashore, ship managers When: Draft dated 21 Oct 2026; comments by 31 Oct 2026
India — DGMA tracker
Urgent Official
BSID from Bihar: MMD Patna is now a data-capturing centre, the 10th in India
Seafarers from Bihar no longer need to go to Kolkata for a BSID. DGMA Circular 70 of 2026 (dated 21 Oct) commissions MMD Patna, Bihar, as a data-capturing centre for the Biometric Seafarer Identity Document (BSID). MMD Patna works as an extension of MMD Kolkata. It is the Directorate's 10th such centre. The circular says it started from 12 Oct 2026, with 100 appointment slots a day, Monday to Friday.
What to do: If you still need a BSID and live in Bihar or nearby states: book a slot at MMD Patna instead of travelling to Kolkata. Carry the documents listed for the BSID appointment.
Affects: Indian seafarers who need a BSID, especially from Bihar and eastern India When: 12 Oct 2026 (Circular 70/2026 dated 21 Oct)
🛡️ Security
Security
Urgent Reported
Gulf: Iran claims seven ships hit; UKMTO confirms two tankers struck, crews safe
Reported by Splash247 and gCaptain: Iran's Guards claim seven vessels were attacked or hit mines in the Persian Gulf in 24 hours. They say four of them were hit during ship-to-ship transfers, but gave no names or evidence. The US says missiles and drones, not mines, are to blame. UKMTO reported a tanker hit by a projectile 11 nm west of Bukha, Oman; the fire was put out and all crew are safe. UKMTO reported another tanker hit 30 nm SE of Iraq's Al Faw, with no injuries or damage. The IMO counts 119 confirmed incidents in the Middle East since hostilities began, and 24 seafarers killed.
What to do: In or bound for the Gulf: follow the latest guidance from your company and JMIC. During STS, keep a full lookout and the fire party ready. Brief all hands on the muster and safe-room plan. Report any attack or suspicious approach to UKMTO at once.
Affects: All crews in the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz and Gulf of Oman, especially tankers doing STS transfers When: 20-22 Oct 2026
Security
Urgent Reported
Gulf of Aden: counter-piracy operation ends; an Indian warship joined for the first time
Combined Maritime Forces says Combined Task Force 151 finished Operation Tidal Wave on 20 Oct. The operation ran for six days in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, with 15 organisations from 10 nations. It says an Indian warship joined one of its focused operations for the first time. The Kenya Navy widened its patrol area, and Seychelles units worked further east than before. Its advice to merchant ships: keep a lookout, report to UKMTO, follow BMP and report suspicious activity at once.
What to do: Transiting the Gulf of Aden or Somali Basin: register and report to UKMTO, and follow BMP Maritime Security. Keep a full anti-piracy lookout and report any suspicious skiff immediately.
Affects: Masters, OOWs and lookouts on ships transiting the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean When: Operation ended 20 Oct 2026
⚠️ Safety lesson
Safety lesson
Urgent Reported
Lesson: a late, unclear VHF call in a TSS ends in collision
Nautical Institute MARS 202633: at night in good visibility, a bulker doing over 16 knots was overtaking a tanker in a TSS. A late, unclear VHF call left each bridge expecting the opposite move. The bulker's master acted on his OOW's relayed account. He made small helm changes without sound signals. The tanker's master had been on the bridge for over 14 hours. He made a hard-to-port round turn without checking astern. Both ships were badly damaged; no one was hurt and there was no pollution.
What to do: OOWs and masters: use VHF early to agree a clear plan, never as a late fix. Whoever has the conn should hear the call directly. Make bold alterations, and look astern before any big turn. Keep long-range radar and ECDIS scanning, and use sound signals.
Affects: Masters, OOWs and lookouts, especially in TSSs and busy overtaking situations When: MARS report published 29 Sep 2026
📜 IMO & rules
IMO & rules
Reported
IMO CCC 12: methanol fuel guidelines revised; new IMSBC cargo schedules due in 2029
Reported by Liberia's registry (LISCR) in its CCC 12 summary of 19 Oct: the sub-committee agreed revised interim guidelines for methyl/ethyl alcohol fuels, for approval at MSC 113. They include fixed monitoring of methyl alcohol at 200 ppm in crew-accessible enclosed spaces. They also include emergency ventilation of at least 30 air changes an hour after a leak is detected. Draft IMSBC amendment 09-27 adds new schedules (e.g. lime mud, kaolinite, direct shipping ore spodumene). It is expected to enter into force on 1 January 2029, voluntary from 1 January 2028. CCC 12 also agreed plastic pellets should not be carried in bulk. It also started interim guidelines for onboard carbon capture.
What to do: Engineers on methanol-fuelled ships: expect gas-detection and ventilation changes and ask the office about training. C/Os on bulkers: check the shipper's cargo declaration against the IMSBC schedule and watch for the new schedules in 09-27.
Affects: Engineers and officers on methanol-fuelled ships; masters and C/Os of bulk carriers When: Methanol guidelines to MSC 113; IMSBC 09-27 expected 1 Jan 2029 (voluntary 1 Jan 2028)
IMO & rules
Reported
Malta flag: the Seaman's Record Book now comes in digital form only
Reported by SAFETY4SEA: Malta's Merchant Shipping Directorate says the Seaman's Record Book is now issued only in digital format, with immediate effect. This applies to seafarers on Malta-registered commercial ships, Maltese nationals and holders of Maltese CoCs. You apply through the Seafarer Portal (seafarers.transport.gov.mt). The fee is 60 euro, plus 25 euro for the digital service and Seafarer Wallet. Missing documents must be sent within 90 days of a request, or the application is rejected with no refund.
What to do: Serving on a Malta-flag ship: apply on the Seafarer Portal, or through your company. Have ready your passport, photo, signature, STCW VI/1 basic training certificates and the master's or employer's engagement statement. Answer any document request well inside 90 days.
Affects: Seafarers of any nationality on Malta-flag commercial ships, Maltese nationals, holders of Maltese CoCs; crewing offices When: With immediate effect (reported 14 Oct 2026)
🚢 Shipping industry
Shipping industry
Reported
US sanctions a law firm, two shipping agents and nine ships in its Iran shadow-fleet push
Reported by gCaptain: the US Treasury sanctioned the law firm Karnakis and Karnakis (Panama and Greece) and its corporate client Roxette Maritime. Roxette's seven Panama-flag cargo ships are now blocked: ANEMOS, GLORIS, PRIDE, DESTINY, FLAMINGO 1, HARMONY and PRINCE. Shipping agents Amigoz Singapore and Whales Shipping Line (Dubai) were also sanctioned, with the UAE-flag WHALES DIAMOND and WHALES PEARL. It is part of 'Operation Economic Outcast'.
What to do: Before you sign on, check the ship's name and IMO number against sanctions lists (OFAC, UN, EU). Also check your manning agent's licence. If you are on a sanctioned ship, keep copies of your contract and wage slips. Contact the ITF or your union if wages stop.
Affects: Seafarers on, or offered jobs on, the named ships; crewing agents; managers When: Announced 21 Oct 2026
Shipping industry
Reported
Panama Canal: transits up 4.1% in FY2026, 50-foot draft held, last-minute slots back
Reported by gCaptain: the canal handled 13,951 transits in fiscal 2026, up 4.1%, and kept its 50-foot maximum draft through the dry season. Last-minute reservations are back for Panamax-lock ships, with 33 booking slots a day (10 Neopanamax) from 15 October. The canal warns a continuing water shortfall could force more changes if El Nino strengthens. Do not assume the current draft will stay.
What to do: Masters, C/Os and planners on Panama routes: check the latest canal advisories for draft and booking rules before every passage. El Nino could bring draft limits back at short notice.
Affects: Masters, chief officers and planners on ships using the Panama Canal When: Fiscal year 2026; slots from 15 Oct 2026
💡 Technical advancement
Technical advancement
Reported
First ammonia bunker ship fuels a bulk carrier with 1,000 tonnes of green ammonia
Reported by Riviera: the converted 4,626-dwt gas carrier Shenghang Yongle delivered 1,000 tonnes of green ammonia ship-to-ship at Zhoushan, China, to CMB.TECH's ammonia-fuelled bulk carrier Mineral Europa. China Classification Society issued what is described as the first class certificate for liquid ammonia bunkering. For deck and ECR crews, the report stresses leak detection, risk assessment and emergency-response arrangements. The reason: 500 ppm of ammonia is immediately dangerous to life and health (US CDC).
What to do: Joining an ammonia-fuelled or ammonia-bunkering ship: ask for ammonia-specific training, gas detectors and the right PPE (full-face protection, chemical suits, escape sets). Drill a bunkering leak before the first real transfer.
Affects: Engineers, deck officers and ratings on ammonia-fuelled bulk carriers and gas carriers doing bunkering When: Reported 22 Oct 2026 💡 Ship types: Bulk carrier, LPG carrier
Technical advancement
Reported
Eastern Pacific names Terra Clove, its first ammonia dual-fuel gas carrier
Reported by Splash247: the 93,000 cu m very large ammonia carrier Terra Clove was named at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, Ulsan. Her engine is an Everllence 6G60ME-LGIA two-stroke, which passed factory tests in April and got type approval in June. It is described as the first ammonia dual-fuel commercial ship under the Singapore flag, due for delivery in November after sea trials. A white paper on operational safety and crew training with the Maersk Mc-Kinney Moller Center is expected later this year.
What to do: Gas-carrier engineers and officers: start building ammonia competence now. This means toxic-gas detection, double-walled piping, ventilation and emergency procedures. Ask your company what training it plans before ammonia-fuelled ships join the fleet.
Affects: Officers and engineers on LPG / ammonia carriers; crewing and training departments When: Named Oct 2026; delivery planned Nov 2026 💡 Ship types: LPG carrier
