India updates BSID issuance for Indian seafarers

The Directorate General of Shipping, India has published a circular titled Addendum 3 in Respect of DGS Circular No. 23 of 2022 Dated 02.12.2022 Issuance of Bio- metric Seafarer's Identity Documents (BSID) to Indian Seafarers.

The document was published on 25 September 2023.

The circular mentions that in a circular No. 23 of 2022, Indian seafarers were required to obtain BSID for availing various services offered by the Directorate General of Shipping.

Another circular No. 12 of 2023 relaxed the BSID requirement for candidates enrolling in specific courses like GMDSS and training courses for trainers and assessors.

There was, also, a one-time extension granted until 31st July 2023 for seafarers to renew, replace, or duplicate their CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) booklets without requiring BSID Cards.

Due to concerns raised by seafarers regarding the expiration of their CDCs and their inability to renew them because of the absence of BSID Cards, the Directorate has decided to waive the BSID Card requirement for various services offered by the Directorate, effective immediately.

All relevant parties, including Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs), Shipping Companies, Unions, Stakeholders, and Allied offices of the Directorate, are requested to encourage seafarers to complete the data capturing process for BSID Cards before seeking services from the Directorate.