Dated:April 18, 2002

Sub: Observance of Efficiency Fortnight by Shipping Office, Mumbai

Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate) Rules, 2001 have been notified vide G.S.R. No. 440(E) dated 19th June, 2001. Rule 4(10) of the new CDC Rules has provision for issuance of CDCs to all Indian seafarers who have served for a minimum period of 36 months on board foreign going ships belonging to different foreign Maritime nations. Since, the earlier CDC Rules had restricted issuance of CDCs based on in the availability of jobs, many Indian seafarers obtained CDCs, which were issued by foreign countries and found employment on board foreign flag vessels. However, ratification of ILO Convention 108 on Seafarer's Identity Document by some of the nations would preclude employment of these seamen who do not possess national CDCs on board ship belonging to these nations. Rule 4(10) has been incorporated in the M.S. (CDC) Rules, 2001 to facilitate such Indian seafarers to obtain CDCs and continue to find employment on board various foreign going vessels.

2. It has also been brought to the notice of this Directorate that due to the large number of applications that have been received at Shipping Office, Mumbai, consequent to notification of M.S. (CDC) Rules, 2001 vide G.S.R. 440(E), there is a delay of more than one month in obtaining a CDC. This causes severe hardship to many Indian seafarers who would not be able to find employment in the absence of CDCs. The applicants, who fail to obtain CDCs within a reasonable period of time, tend to visit the Shipping Office to ascertain status of their applications. The Shipping Master and the two Asstt. Shipping Masters are reported to have been spending approximately two hours everyday to meet the visitors and clarify on the status of their CDC applications. The Shipping Master, Mumbai has intimated that if the two hours spent on visitors everyday is gainfully utilized in clearing the application for CDCs, he would be able to clear all pending cases within a period of one month.

3. The Director General of Shipping and ex-officio Addl. Secretary to the Government of India has carefully considered the above request of the Shipping Master and is pleased to issue the following directives: -

(a) An Efficiency Fortnight will be observed by Shipping Office, Mumbai from 22nd April, 2002 to 05th May, 2002.

(b) The Shipping Master, Mumbai will issue detailed orders on observance of efficiency week and to optimally utilize all staff members of the Shipping Office and Seamen's Employment Office, Mumbai. He may consider extending the working hours during the fortnight.

(c) The Shipping Master, Mumbai will be permitted to continuously work on issuance of CDCs without observing the mandatory timing for the visitors during this fortnight. However, queries of seafarers will be answered on telephone 2697972 by a suitable representative. In urgent matters / emergencies, the Shipping Master will be available to the public.

(d) The Shipping Master, Mumbai will forward a report to the Directorate General of Shipping on the status of pending CDC applications after observance of the Efficiency Fortnight.

Sd/-
(M.S.Vinod Kumar)
Asstt. Director General of Shipping