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Issue 18 · Latest issue

DGMA promises a CDC in 7 days; explosives fixed to a tanker in Hormuz; drone-hit box ship sinks

Friday, 30 October 2026 · free, no ads · a new issue Tuesday to Saturday

  • 14items
  • 5official sources
  • 6to act on
  • 5 minto read

In 60 seconds

  • India: the DGMA Citizen Charter 2026 sets 7 working days for a CDC and 3 for a SID.
  • Hormuz: a small boat fixed 2 explosive devices to a tanker's hull. The fire was put out.
  • Black Sea: the box ship hit by sea drones off Bulgaria has sunk. All 18 crew are safe.
  • Singapore flag: MPA asks companies to ban personal phone use during navigational watches.
  • Safety: a pilot on a 39-minute phone call missed a tug ahead. 1 crew member died.
❓ How to use

🚨 Act on these first

  1. DGMA Citizen Charter 2026: CDC in 7 working days, SID in 3 · 🇮🇳 India — DGMA tracker
  2. New ISPS rules for Indian ships and ports replace the 2024 rules · 🇮🇳 India — DGMA tracker
  3. Hormuz: a small boat fixed 2 explosive devices to a tanker's hull · 🛡️ Security
  4. Black Sea: the box ship hit by sea drones off Bulgaria has sunk · 🛡️ Security
  5. Gulf of Aden: UKMTO reports a possible pirate group with ladders · 🛡️ Security
  6. Lesson: a pilot on a 39-minute phone call did not see the tug ahead · ⚠️ Safety lesson

India — DGMA tracker

India — DGMA tracker Urgent Official

DGMA Citizen Charter 2026: CDC in 7 working days, SID in 3

The DGMA Citizen Charter 2026 sets new service times, counted in working days from receipt of complete documents. A CDC (issue or renewal on e-Samudra) now takes 7 days, down from 30 in 2018. A Seafarer's Identity Document (BSID portal) takes 3 days, down from 7. An RPSL licence takes 21 days after the RO's recommendation, and a dispensation letter 48 hours. A rejection can be appealed within 30 days through e-Navik.

What to do: Applying for a CDC or SID? Upload a complete set of documents, because the clock starts only then. If DGMA misses the time, or rejects your file, use the e-Navik grievance channel. Keep screenshots of your application.
Affects: Indian seafarers applying for CDC or SID; RPSL agencies; crewing offices When: Citizen Charter 2026, posted 29 Oct 2026
Source: DGMA - Citizen Charter 2026 ↗
India — DGMA tracker Urgent Official

New ISPS rules for Indian ships and ports replace the 2024 rules

The Merchant Shipping (Ships and Port Facility Security) Rules, 2026 were notified as G.S.R. 909(E) on 23 Oct 2026, under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. They supersede the 2024 rules of the same name. They cover ISPS Code security for ships and port facilities: recognised security organisations, security levels and port facility security assessments. The rules apply from their publication in the Gazette.

What to do: Masters, SSOs and CSOs of Indian ships: ask the office whether the SSP needs updating to the 2026 rules. Check that the SSP and drill records quote the new rules, not the 2024 ones.
Affects: Masters, SSOs and CSOs of Indian-flag ships; port facility security officers When: G.S.R. 909(E), 23 Oct 2026; posted 29 Oct 2026
Source: DGMA - Merchant Shipping (Ships and Port … ↗

Exams & certificates

Exams & certificates Official

Waiting for an engineering or ETO CoC? 71 were sent by Speed Post on 27 Oct

The DGMA Engineering Wing dispatch list dated 27 Oct 2026 has 71 certificates. 8 are ETO certificates (ETO-07604 to ETO-07611). 63 are 95X-series certificates (95X-20968 to 95X-21030). Each line shows the INDoS number and a Speed Post barcode.

What to do: Open the list and search for your INDoS number. Track the barcode on the India Post website. If your name is not there, check the next dispatch list before you contact DGMA.
Affects: Marine engineers and ETOs waiting for a CoC When: Dispatch list dated 27 Oct 2026, posted 29 Oct 2026
Source: DGMA - CoC dispatch list, Engineering Win… ↗

Security

Security Urgent Reported

Hormuz: a small boat fixed 2 explosive devices to a tanker's hull

Reported by Seatrade Maritime News, citing UKMTO. On 29 Oct, 25 NM northeast of Khasab, a small boat came alongside a tanker on the port side. It attached 2 explosive devices to the hull above the waterline. The blasts caused an engine-room fire that briefly disabled the ship. The fire was put out and the ship continued its voyage. Vanguard Tech named her as the Panama-flag tanker Louise 1. Earlier that day UKMTO reported a second tanker struck by an unknown projectile on an outbound transit. No injuries were reported.

What to do: Masters and OOWs in the Strait of Hormuz: keep extra lookouts on the beams and quarters. Treat any small boat closing in as a threat. Keep the engine room ready for fire and damage control, and report suspicious craft to UKMTO at once.
Affects: Masters, OOWs, lookouts and engine-room crews on Gulf and Hormuz voyages When: 29 Oct 2026
Source: Seatrade Maritime News - Tanker catches f… ↗
Security Urgent Reported

Black Sea: the box ship hit by sea drones off Bulgaria has sunk

Reported by gCaptain, citing Reuters, on 29 Oct. The Liberia-flag CONTSHIP JET sank after 3 sea drones hit her on 28 Oct in Bulgaria's EEZ. She was on passage from Haifa to Constanta with 421 containers. All 18 crew (14 Filipino, 4 Ukrainian) were rescued and landed at Varna. According to government statements, at least 6 ships have been attacked by drones off Bulgaria this month.

What to do: Masters on Black Sea voyages: follow your company's war-risk instructions and the latest flag and naval advice. Keep a lookout for small, low craft day and night. Brief the crew on abandon-ship drills and keep grab bags ready.
Affects: Masters and crews on Black Sea voyages; company security officers When: Sunk after an attack on 28 Oct 2026
Source: gCaptain - Greek containership sunk by na… ↗
Security Urgent Official

Gulf of Aden: UKMTO reports a possible pirate group with ladders

UKMTO advisory of 28 Oct 2026 (12:02 UTC), position about 12 42N 047 35E. It reports suspicious activity that may point to a Pirate Action Group. One report describes a green and blue boat with 2 ladders, 1 hook and 9 people on board. UKMTO tells ships to follow BMP Maritime Security.

What to do: Masters in the Gulf of Aden: follow BMP Maritime Security. Keep the citadel ready and the crew briefed. Report any boat with ladders or hooks to UKMTO.
Affects: Masters, OOWs and SSOs on Gulf of Aden transits When: 28 Oct 2026
Source: UKMTO - Recent incidents (incident 184) ↗

Safety lesson

Safety lesson Urgent Reported

Lesson: a pilot on a 39-minute phone call did not see the tug ahead

From NTSB Marine Investigation Report 26-24 (released 6 Aug 2026). On 19 Jul 2024 the bulk carrier Yangze 7 ran into the towing vessel Miss Peggy in the Houston Ship Channel. The tug sank with 5 crew; 1 died. The pilot had been on a non-work phone call for 39 minutes, ending 2 minutes before the collision. The bridge team saw the tug only when it was less than a ship's length ahead. The tug's captain did not see the ship coming from astern.

What to do: OOWs: keep a look-out by sight, radar and AIS, also when a pilot has the con. If anyone on the bridge is on a personal call, say so. Tug and small-craft masters: check astern often in busy channels.
Affects: Masters, OOWs and lookouts; pilots; tug and harbour craft crews When: NTSB MIR 26-24, 6 Aug 2026
Source: NTSB - Cellphone use and lack of proper l… ↗

IMO & rules

IMO & rules Official

Singapore flag: no personal phone use on the bridge during a watch

MPA Shipping Advisory 25 of 2026 (30 Oct) asks companies with Singapore-flag ships to ban non-operational use of phones and personal devices during navigational watches and other safety-critical work, through the SMS. It cites two cases. The OOW of the Priscilla (grounding, 2018) was watching videos on his phone. In the Yangze 7 / Miss Peggy collision (2024) the pilot was distracted by his phone (see the safety lesson in this issue). MPA also asks bridge teams to challenge unsafe phone use, including by pilots.

What to do: OOWs: keep your phone away during the watch. Masters: check that the SMS bans personal phone use on watch and in other critical operations, and brief bridge teams to speak up, also to a pilot.
Affects: Masters, OOWs, lookouts and pilots; Singapore-flag ships first, good practice on every ship When: MPA Shipping Advisory 25/2026, 30 Oct 2026
Source: MPA Singapore - Shipping Advisory No. 25 … ↗
IMO & rules Reported

Liberian flag: one record book for NOx and SOx ECAs is now accepted

Liberia Marine Notice POL-009 Rev. 10/26 on MARPOL Annex VI replaces the 09/25 version. A combined ECA record book for NOx and SOx is now acceptable. The notice adds the 2025 SCR guidelines for ships with keel laid on or after 1 Nov 2025. It lists the ECA dates: 0.10% sulphur in the Canadian Arctic and Norwegian Sea SOx-ECAs from 1 Mar 2027, and in the North-East Atlantic SOx-ECA from 1 Sep 2028.

What to do: C/Es and masters on Liberian ships: ask the office whether to use one combined ECA record book. Plan fuel change-over for the new Arctic and Norwegian Sea limits from 1 Mar 2027.
Affects: C/Es, masters and superintendents of Liberian-flag ships When: POL-009 Rev. 10/26, listed 28 Oct 2026
Source: LISCR - Liberia Marine Notice POL-009 Rev… ↗
IMO & rules Reported

US ports: a call at Somalia in the last 5 ports now means extra security conditions

Reported by Splash247 on 29 Oct. The US Coast Guard added Somalia to its list of countries without effective antiterrorism measures at their ports. The list now has 24 countries, including Iran, Yemen, Libya, Sudan and Venezuela. Ships with one of these countries in their last 5 port calls must meet extra conditions before entering the US: access control, security records and reports to the Captain of the Port. Deficiencies can mean delay or denial of entry.

What to do: Masters and SSOs: if Somalia is in your last 5 ports and the next call is the US, keep the ship security records for that call ready. Ask the agent and the CSO for the exact USCG conditions before arrival.
Affects: Masters, SSOs and CSOs of ships trading to the US When: In effect from the week of 26 Oct 2026
Source: Splash247 - US tightens entry rules for s… ↗

Shipping industry

Shipping industry Reported

Cyclone Arnab: bulker Sigma Pearl runs aground off Kakinada; all crew safe

Reported by India Seatrade News on 30 Oct. The Marshall Islands-flag bulk carrier Sigma Pearl ran aground near Antarvedi, off Kakinada, on 28 Oct. She had left Visakhapatnam for Singapore after discharging sulphur, and reportedly lost propulsion. All crew are reported safe. The MMD is monitoring, and salvage will follow when the weather improves.

What to do: Masters near a cyclone track: leave port early or stay in a safe berth, as the port advises. Test the main engine and steering before sailing, and keep the anchors ready.
Affects: Masters and engineers on India's east coast When: Grounded 28 Oct 2026
Source: India Seatrade News - Bulk carrier Sigma … ↗
Shipping industry Reported

Dockworkers in 22 countries strike today against arms shipments

Reported by India Seatrade News. More than 25 unions at 113 ports in 22 countries plan to strike on Friday 30 Oct. Organisers say about 12 Indian ports could be hit, and name Nhava Sheva as a possible flashpoint. Piraeus is to stop work from 0800 to 1100 GMT, and Greek ferries are expected to stay in port.

What to do: Ships due at Nhava Sheva or Mediterranean ports today: check with the agent for berth and cargo delays. Update the ETA and the rest-hour plan if work stops.
Affects: Masters, chief officers and crews of ships calling at the affected ports When: 30 Oct 2026
Source: India Seatrade News - Dockworkers in 22 c… ↗

Technical advancement

Technical advancement Reported

Small LNG carriers and bunker vessels: the fleet is now 140, mostly Type-C tanks

Reported by Riviera on 29 Oct. The small-scale LNG fleet has grown to 140 ships. Most newbuilds below 40,000 m3 now use IMO Type-C pressure tanks instead of membrane tanks. About half the ships built in the last 5 years are dedicated LNG bunkering vessels.

What to do: Deck and engine officers moving to LNG bunker vessels: ask for Type-C tank and bunkering-transfer training before joining. On LNG-fuelled ships, expect more ship-to-ship bunkering and rehearse the transfer checklist.
Affects: Officers on LNG bunker vessels, small gas carriers and LNG-fuelled ships When: Reported 29 Oct 2026 💡 Ship types: LNG carrier
Source: Riviera - LNG bunkering boom fuels rapid … ↗
Technical advancement Reported

Car carriers: Wallenius Wilhelmsen orders up to 12 LNG dual-fuel PCTCs

Reported by gCaptain on 29 Oct. Wallenius Wilhelmsen ordered 4 firm 9,900 CEU car carriers at Jinling Shipyard, China, with options for 8 more. They will have dual-fuel LNG engines, hoistable decks and heavy-duty ramps. Deliveries start in mid-2030.

What to do: Ro-ro officers and engineers: dual-fuel LNG car carriers need IGF Code basic or advanced training. If you plan to stay in this trade, add it to your certificates before the next contract.
Affects: Officers and engineers on car carriers and ro-ro ships When: Reported 29 Oct 2026 💡 Ship types: Car carrier / Ro-Ro
Source: gCaptain - Wallenius Wilhelmsen orders up… ↗

One-question check

Under COLREGS, which rule requires every vessel to keep a proper look-out at all times, by sight and hearing and by all available means?

Mariners Digest summarises public sources in its own words and links every item to its source. Items marked Official link to the regulator's own document; Reported items come from the trade press. Always check the source before acting on it. This is not legal advice. Independent — not affiliated with the Directorate General of Shipping or IMO. How to use