Kolkata, Sep 2025: The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has launched a Seafarer Tracking Module on its e-NAVIK portal to strengthen the monitoring of Indian seafarers serving aboard both Indian-flagged and foreign-flagged vessels, particularly those operating in regions facing heightened maritime security threats.
The move comes amid growing geopolitical tensions and increased risks to merchant shipping and seafarers across several strategically important maritime routes. According to a DGMA circular issued on September 4, Indian seafarers are currently serving on vessels operating in or transiting through areas such as the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb, Black Sea and waters around Somalia.
The maritime authority said the prevailing security environment has made it necessary to establish a mechanism that can effectively monitor Indian seafarers in vulnerable regions. The objective is to facilitate the timely exchange of information, improve coordination among stakeholders and enable a prompt response in the event of an emergency or other unforeseen incident involving Indian crew members.
The Seafarer Tracking Module is currently functioning in beta mode. Once Recruitment and Placement Service Licencees (RPSLs) and shipping companies upload and regularly update the required information, the system is expected to provide authorities with a more comprehensive picture of Indian seafarers deployed across high-risk maritime zones.
The DGMA has directed all RPSLs and shipping companies to update the module with information relating to vessels, their voyages and Indian seafarers working onboard. The information to be furnished includes vessel identification and voyage-related details, particulars of Indian seafarers onboard and RPSL details wherever applicable.
The authority has also provided flexibility in cases where the exact position of a vessel is temporarily unavailable. Such vessels can be added to the system by selecting the relevant geographical region from a drop-down menu, while their precise positional information can be entered once it becomes available.
Once the information is updated, the module will create a centralised database of Indian seafarers serving aboard vessels, with particular emphasis on ships operating in high-risk areas. The DGMA said region-wise information on vessels and crew members would help authorities strengthen maritime coordination and facilitate a faster and more effective response during emergencies.
Under the new mechanism, all RPSLs and concerned shipowners and operators have been instructed to prioritise the updating of vessels carrying Indian crew in the identified high-risk regions. After the initial information is uploaded, stakeholders will primarily be required to update the vessel's position on a daily basis, along with crew sign-on and sign-off details at regular intervals.
The DGMA has said that while the long-term objective is to track Indian seafarers serving on ships across the globe, the immediate priority is to obtain information on vessels carrying Indian crew in specific high-risk areas. These include the Persian Gulf west of the Strait of Hormuz, the Gulf of Oman east of the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Black Sea.
The authority is also exploring ways to automate the tracking system so that the need for manual data updates can be reduced. Until such automated mechanisms are developed, all stakeholders have been asked to begin updating vessel and crew information without delay.
At the same time, the DGMA has emphasised that information uploaded to the module, particularly vessel-position data, will be treated as confidential. Access to such information will be restricted to authorised personnel through designated login credentials and permissions based on their respective roles.
The launch of the tracking mechanism assumes greater significance amid the continuing security situation in the Middle East and other maritime hotspots. The Ministry of External Affairs has reported that 10 Indian seafarers have lost their lives in connection with the Middle East crisis. After a brief lull, hostilities have again intensified in the region, adding to concerns over the safety of merchant vessels and their crews.
In addition, five more Indian seafarers have been confirmed dead in the Black Sea region, further highlighting the risks faced by Indian maritime workers operating in conflict-affected and strategically sensitive waters.
The DGMA's latest initiative is therefore aimed at creating a more structured and centralised system for monitoring Indian seafarers, improving the flow of critical information and strengthening the ability of authorities to respond quickly when their safety is threatened.
