Whereas as per Rule 4(10) of Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate) Rules, 1993 CDC is issued to an applicant who has worked on board foreign going vessels of any flag in any capacity provided he has a minimum period of not less than three years of experience at sea.

Whereas Indian seafarers, in possession of CDCs of foreign nations, are facing difficulties in seeking employment on board foreign flag vessels, without a national CDC, as they are falling short of the required sea experience of three years.

Whereas the seafarers associations and seafarers unions have time and again represented the difficulties faced by the Indian seafarers in finding employment opportunities due to non-possession of CDCs, inspite of having seagoing experience of two years and above.

Whereas, the Indian Maritime Administration, in its endeavour to facilitate the Indian seafarers in availing employment opportunities, reviews its policies vis-à-vis the national and international requirements.

Now therefore, the Director-General of Shipping and Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Shipping, exercising the powers conferred by Clause(1) of Section 456 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (on the Central Government) read with notification issued by the Government of India vide S.O. No. 3144 dated 17th December, 1960 delegating the said power to him is pleased to revise Rule 4(10) of Merchant Shipping (Continuous Discharge Certificate-cum-Seafarers Identity Document), 2001 whereby the applicant should have sea experience of not less than two years on any flag, in any capacity, on board ship, not less than 200 tons gross as on 28.02.2003 and such applications will be submitted to the Shipping Master's Office within a period of one year from the date of this order.

The Shipping Master will re-examine all existing and future applications for CDC in accordance with this order.

Sd/-
( D.T. Joseph)
Director-General of Shipping and
Secretary to the Govt. of India