India publishes circular regarding the issuance of BSID to Indian seafarers

The Directorate General of Shipping, India has published a circular regarding the issuance of Bio-metric Seafarers Identity Documents (BSID) to Indian seafarers.

This document is the addendum to DGS Crew Circular No. 23 of 2022 that came into effect on 1 April 2023.

The Directorate has received representations from MTIs stating that many seafarers have completed the process of application and biometric capture at designated centers and are awaiting receipt of physical BSID cards and are unable to attend maritime courses at MTIs.

The Directorate General of Shipping has considered the issue and created a facility where MTIs can check the issuance of BSID online. The MTIs can check the issuance of BSID of seafarers against INDOS number from the "SID checker" by visiting the website. The MTIs are allowed to admit the candidates after confirming the issuance of BSID from the above-mentioned SID checker. It is mandatory for the MTIs to strictly follow the instructions in paragraph 5 of DGS Crew Circular No.23 of 2022.

Admission taken in violation of DGS Crew Circular No. 23 of 2022 read with the paragraph above will be considered as a major non-compliance and necessary action will be initiated against MTIs as per the issued DGS Order i.e. DGS Order 05 and 07 of 2016.

For more information, please see the documents below (available only to subscribers):

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

Addendum to DGS Crew Circular No. 23 of 2022 Regarding Issuance of Bio-metric Seafarers Identity Documents (BSID) to Indian Seafarers

Issuance of Seafarer's Identity Documents (SID) to Indian Seafarers

Guidelines and Procedure for Approval for the Conduct of DG Shipping Approved Modular, Simulator and Post Sea Competency Courses for Training of Seafarers in India

Guidelines and Procedures to Obtain Approval from Director-General of Shipping, Govt. of India, for the Conduct of Approved Pre-Sea Courses for Training of Seafarers in India