Further evidence of the shift in positions from national governments was seen yesterday when India’s Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in Mumbai issued a statement allowing crew change and repatriation to take place at Indian ports.
The move by the Indian Government could prove crucial as the many of the estimated half a million, or more, crew stranded at sea or awaiting to join vessels will be Indian nationals. Exact and detailed figures on crew numbers are not available. India was not a signatory to the statement sent out by 13 nations following the International Maritime Organization’s summit on 9 July.
The DGS notice prescribed, “The Standard Operating Procedures / Protocols (SOP) for controlled crew change of Indian seafarers at Indian ports to facilitate and regulate crew change for seafarers so that the safe environment on the ship is not compromised or no contamination is brought from ship to shore.”
In addition, the DGS outlined the procedures and documentation necessary for foreign nationals to temporarily stay and then be repatriated from India on Temporary Landing Permits (TLP) as long as the crew have valid passports and visas with a valid seafarer’s certificate.
The full announcement can be seen here.
