On Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs officially ended the painstaking immigration sign-on/sign-off and Shore Leave Pass(SLP) procedures for crew and supernumerary seafarers on Indian flagged coastal vessels.
This is a move to solve the immigration procedural issues faced by Indian seafarers during coastal runs and their further extension every 10 days. The new changes will apply to vessels operating within port limits, including dredgers, barges, and research vessels.
Shore access for sailors will now be regulated by the Port Authorities, making it easier for crew members to focus on their duties onboard.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has been instructed to ensure that port authorities maintain accurate records of the crew working on Indian-flagged coastal vessels. The Bureau of Immigration will conduct surprise inspections and request crew lists regularly to monitor compliance.
This policy aims to reduce administrative burdens on seafarers and streamline coastal vessel operations. Crew members should coordinate with Port Authorities for shore access and ensure that their details are properly recorded. The new arrangement is expected to improve efficiency and convenience for Indian seafarers.
Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India, said, “This beneficial and historic reform will help all Indian seafarers working on approximately 800 vessels, along with Indian shipowners, by reducing operational delays, simplifying compliance and boosting coastal shipping efficiency.” He called this move a major milestone in maritime welfare and ease of doing business.
Sonowal also added that the Narendra Modi Government stands strong with India’s seafarers. “Towards empowering our seafarers, the Union Home Ministry under the decisive leadership of Amit Shah ji has abolished decades-old requirements of sign-on, sign-off and Shore Leave Passes for all Indian vessels exclusively operating in Indian waters,” he said in a message on X.
