The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on December 08, 2025, issued a circular regarding consolidated requirements for Minimum Safe Manning for Indian Ships (Nautical).
The following has been stated: -
•The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued a consolidated circular to standardise the minimum safe manning requirements for Indian ships, in line with IMO Resolution A.1047(27), SOLAS, and the Merchant Shipping Act.
•The circular consolidates multiple earlier orders, circulars, and notices into a single, uniform framework to ensure clarity, consistency, and ease of compliance across vessel categories.
•Detailed minimum safe manning (nautical) scales are prescribed through Annexures A to G, based on vessel type, tonnage, nature, and area of operation, with separate provisions for passenger vessels.
•Ship-owners and managers are responsible for submitting safe manning proposals and ensuring vessels are manned strictly as per the approved Minimum Safe Manning Document (MSMD).
•Temporary dispensations from prescribed manning are allowed only in exceptional circumstances, subject to strict conditions and payment of applicable wage safeguards.
The detailed circular is given in the document below.
[DGS Circular No. 54 of 2025]
