Government of India
Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport & Highways
(Department of Shipping)
Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai

Notice 

No.11-TR(18)/2004-II                                                                               27^th April, 2009 

Information is being received in this Directorate regarding the prevailing confusion with respect to approval for maritime training courses being conducted by various maritime training institutions in the country, and matter regarding affiliation in the wake of formation of IMU. To dispel prevailing doubts the following clarifications are issued. 

1.      Conduct of Pre-sea Training for Deck Cadets - Diploma in Nautical Science leading to 3 years B.Sc (Nautical Science) Degree Programme:- 

(i)       The DNS programme leading to B.Sc. (Nautical Science) conducted through IGNOU will henceforth be conducted through IMU for the session beginning from August, 2009 for new entrants. 

(ii)      DGS will issue a detailed order on the transfer of DNS programme from IGNOU to IMU including detailed instructions regarding the transitional arrangements, shortly. 

2.     Affiliation of Maritime Training Institutes:- 

Affiliation of the private institutes with the IMU is not mandatory. The institutes which are affiliated with other universities will continue to be recognized by DGS. 

3.      Role of Director General of Shipping         

(i)       Under the relevant provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and Rule 47 of the Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping  for Seafarers), Rules 1998, the Directorate General of Shipping is charged with the responsibility of supervising and seeing that all training and assessment of seafarers for certification is (a) structured in accordance with written programme including such methods and media of delivery, procedure and course material as are necessary to achieve the standard of competence as specified in Chapters II and VIII of the STCW Code; (b) Conducted, monitored, evaluated, and supported by persons qualified in accordance with paragraphs 4 to 6 of Section A-I/6 of the STCW Code.  The STCW Convention requires that all maritime education and training falling under the ambit of the Convention to be approved by the "Administration" and continuously monitored through a Quality Standards System.   

      In pursuance of the above, the Director General of Shipping accords approval to the training programmes conducted by various Training Institutions, that are preparatory to the Certificate of Competency under the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. 

(ii)     DGS will continue to formulate the guidelines as per STCW Rules for the courses preparatory to CoC (CoC oriented courses/ mandatory courses, i.e. courses forming part of approved education and training programme leading to CoC) including those run by IMU to ensure uniform standards of maritime education. 

(iii)     DGS will continue to regulate the Institutes /Colleges conducting courses preparatory to CoC (CoC oriented courses/ mandatory courses, i.e. courses forming part of approved education and training programme leading to CoC) which remain affiliated with the Universities other than IMU.   

(iv)      DGS will also continue to regulate all training of ratings and other mandatory certificate courses. 

(v)     Approval of new capacities in IMU constituent /affiliated institutions for CoC oriented courses will be routed through the Board of Affiliation and Recognition of IMU, to the Collegium of DGS to facilitate orderly and sustainable developments of the job market.  A suitable mechanism is being worked out to ensure expeditious clearances.  

Director General of Shipping