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Annual STCW Certification and Training Report 2023: A Record-Breaking Year for Indian Seafarers

The Directorate General of Shipping, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, has released its annual report for the year 2023, showcasing the significant strides made in the certification and training of Indian seafarers under the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention. This report highlights the dedication of the maritime community in India and the continuous efforts to uphold the highest standards of maritime safety and competence.

Record-Breaking Achievements in Certification

Certificates of Competence Issued

The year 2023-24 marked a significant achievement with a record-breaking 3,721 Certificates of Competence (COCs) issued for foreign-going vessels, the highest in the past five years. Additionally, 128 Near-Coastal Voyage (NCV) COCs were issued, also setting a five-year record.

Growth in Deck Ratings and Endorsements

Another notable milestone was the issuance of 4,643 Deck Rating Watchkeeping and 3,075 Able Seafarers Deck COPs. This indicates a total of 7,718 ratings obtaining their COPs, significantly boosting employment opportunities for Indian ratings. Furthermore, 15,785 Basic Oil & Chemical Dangerous Cargo Endorsements and 4,746 Basic Gas Dangerous Cargo Endorsements were issued, underscoring the commitment to specialized training in critical areas of maritime operations.

Maritime Training Institutes Performance

Indian maritime training institutes showed commendable performance in 2023-24. Top-performing institutes reported pass rates as high as 74.39% for the Second Mate of a Foreign Going Ship certification, 72.4% for First Mate Phase I, 69.94% for First Mate Phase II, and 74.29% for Master of a Foreign Going Ship certifications.

Trends in Dangerous Cargo Endorsements

The report also highlights trends in the issuance of advanced Dangerous Cargo Endorsements. MMD Mumbai led the issuance across Oil Tankers, Chemical Tankers, and Gas Tankers, reflecting the city's central role in maritime safety training.

Analysis of Maritime Training Programs

The report provides a detailed analysis of the performance outcomes from various maritime training institutes across India. The performance data indicates strengths in several key areas but also points to opportunities for improvement, particularly in NCV programs, where pass rates varied between 58.97% and 85%.