India Eases Rules for Issuing CDC for Seafarers

The Government of India has opted to ease some of its rules in an effort to remove obstacles in obtaining a CDC certificate for seafarers intending to work on ships.

The new rules related to issuing a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC)-cum-Seafarers’ Identity Document, needed for seafarers to work on vessels, came into force on January 14, 2018.

India said that the rules provide a simplified requirement and procedure for obtaining an lndian CDC. In order to apply for a CDC, a person has to be an Indian national of 18 years old, with an Indian passport and a Class 10 pass certificate, and has to complete five basic International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) safety courses.

India informed that all the CDC issued under the said M.S. (CDC) rules 2001 shall continue to be valid in all respect and there will not be any requirement for its replacement with the CDC issued under the new CDC rules 2017, except as provided under the said new rules.

Local media said that the changes would benefit thousands of Indians looking for a job aboard cruise liners and other ship classes.