All India Seafarer & General Worker Union

📢 URGENT: Justice for Cadet Somanath – AISGWU Demands Transparent & Fair Investigation
The All India Seafarers & General Workers Union (AISGWU) has officially submitted a complaint to the Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner and the Maharashtra Coastal Police regarding the suspicious death of Cadet Somanath, a trainee at TS Chanakya, Nerul.
The family alleges serious lapses in the circumstances surrounding the incident, including unanswered questions about injuries, events inside the hostel, and possible negligence by the institution.
Our Key Demands to Authorities:
🔹 A high-level, impartial inquiry into the cadet’s mysterious death
🔹 Preservation and examination of all CCTV footage, hostel entry-exit logs, and duty officer reports
🔹 A detailed forensic and medico-legal investigation
🔹 Immediate suspension of any staff found responsible for negligence
🔹 Protection of all evidence and witness statements
🔹 Accountability from institute management and transparent reporting to the family
**Cadet Somanath’s family deserves the truth.
The seafarer community demands justice.**
AISGWU stands firmly with the family and will continue to pursue this case until full clarity and accountability are achieved.
✊ Justice for Cadet Somanath
✊ Stop negligence in maritime training institutes
✊ Ensure safety and dignity for every seafarer

— All India Seafarers & General Workers Union

Sanjay V. Pawar
Abhijeet Sangle
Sh*tal S. More
Amar Singh Thakur

Directorate General of Shipping, India
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

On the blessed occasion of Eid, All India Seafarers Union extends warm wishes of peace, prosperity, and happiness to all seafarers and their families.
May this Eid bring safety on every voyage, strength during challenges at sea, and joy in every home. We stand united for the welfare, dignity, and rights of every Indian seafarer.
Eid Mubarak to all!
— All India Seafarers Union

Urgent Clarification Required on New ETR (Electro-Technical Rating)
Circular Issued by DGS Circular No. 25 of 2026.
The All India Seafarers Union welcomes the initiative of the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) to create new career pathways for seafarers through the introduction of ETR (Electro-Technical Rating) training and certification.
This policy aims to provide opportunities for GP Ratings, ITI electricians, Diploma holders, and Degree holders to progress toward the Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) Certificate of Competency.
However, after a detailed review, the Union has identified major ambiguities in the circular that require immediate clarification to avoid confusion and misinterpretation in the maritime industry.

🔍 Key Concerns Raised by the Union
1️⃣ ETR Not Reflected in Safe Manning Requirements
The circular does not mention:
Whether ETR will be included in the Safe Manning Document (SMD)
Whether ETR is to be considered a mandatory or optional rank onboard
Whether shipowners are required to employ ETR on any class or type of vessel
At present, ETR is not a mandatory Safe Manning rank, and the circular does not confirm any change.
This has created operational uncertainty for shipowners, RPSL companies, and training institutes.
2️⃣ Lack of Clarity on Sea-Time Requirements for Progression to ETO
The circular indicates pathways such as:
GP Rating → ETR → ETO
ITI/Diploma/Degree → ETR → ETO
But it does not explicitly confirm:
Whether previous sea time as GP Rating will be counted
What types of vessels qualify for ETR sea time
Whether mixed sea-time (Rating + ETR) is permissible
The exact minimum months required for different qualifications
Clear interpretation is urgently needed from DGS.
3️⃣ Ambiguity in Training Structure and MTI Readiness
Training institutes (MTIs) require clarification on:
Duration of ETR training
High-voltage requirements
Assessment pattern and practical components
Course approval timeline
Without this clarity, MTIs cannot begin admissions or scheduling.
4️⃣ Possible Misuse & Misleading Recruitment Claims
In absence of clear Safe Manning guidelines, there is a high risk of:
Fraudulent recruitment agencies exploiting candidates
Misleading advertisements claiming “Guaranteed ETR Jobs”
Unnecessary financial burden on seafarers
The Union urges DGS to issue strict guidelines to prevent exploitation.

📌 Union’s Formal Demands to DGS
All India Seafarers Union requests the following immediate clarifications from DGS:
Is ETR a mandatory rank under Safe Manning?
If yes, specify vessel type and applicability from which date.
Will Safe Manning Documents (SMD) be revised to include ETR?
Sea-time calculation norms for GP Rating / ITI / Diploma pathways.
Eligibility and training framework for MTIs to ensure uniform standards.
Clear operational guidelines for owners, managers, RPSL companies, and unions.

🗣 Official Statement
All India Seafarers Union strongly supports upskilling of Indian seafarers, but the implementation must be transparent and aligned with international STCW standards.
Ambiguities in the current circular can lead to:
Misinterpretation
Recruitment fraud
Incorrect training pathways
Financial loss to seafarers
We request DGS to urgently issue a follow-up clarification circular to protect the interests of all Indian seafarers and ensure smooth implementation.

✍️ Issued by:
All India Seafarers Union

Sanjay V. Pawar
Abhijeet Sangle
Sh*tal S. More

Directorate General of Shipping, India
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

🚢 A Big Step Forward for Indian Seafarers – New DGS Draft Brings Hope & Career Growth 🚢

The Directorate General of Shipping has introduced a promising new draft designed to create a clear, structured pathway for Indian ratings to progress toward becoming Second Mates.
For years, many ratings felt compelled to seek foreign routes due to faster processing and better exam systems abroad. This draft finally addresses that gap by streamlining the Indian competency framework and recognizing the practical sea experience that ratings already possess.

👉 What This Means for Seafarers:
Formal recognition of onboard experience
Faster upward mobility & better career prospects
Higher salaries and long-term stability
Improved safety, fewer accidents, and enhanced professional standards
Maritime Training Institutes will also play a crucial role, adapting their systems to deliver a high-value, industry-relevant programme that benefits both ratings and the institutes themselves.

Abhijeet Sangle, Working President of All India Seafarers Union, welcomed the move, calling it:
“A realistic and commendable effort that aligns with global standards while boosting both safety and career progression for ratings.”
Overall, this initiative strengthens the Indian maritime landscape and brings long-awaited hope to thousands of seafarers dreaming of higher ranks and better futures.
🇮🇳 Behind every ship is a seafarer — shaping India’s progress and global presence.

Sanjay V. Pawar
Sh*tal S. More

Directorate General of Shipping, India
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India

State office of All India Seafarers Union was inaugurated today in Kerala...

आज केरल में ऑल इंडिया सिफेरर्स युनियन के प्रदेश कार्यालय का उद्घाटन किया गया।

आज केरळ या ठिकाणी ऑल इंडिया सिफेरर्स युनियनच्या च्या राज्य कार्यालयाचे उद्घाटन करण्यात आले....

🌼✨ Wishing Everyone a Blessed Akshaya Tritiya! ✨🌼
On this auspicious day of Akshaya Tritiya, may prosperity, good fortune, and endless success enter your life.
Just like the meaning of “Akshaya” — may your happiness and progress never diminish.
🙏💛
May Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi bless all our seafarers and their families with strength, protection, and abundant growth.
Happy Akshaya Tritiya

– All India Seafarers Union
CBD Belapur
📞 Contact: 9967151515 | 8788622162



Sanjay V. Pawar
Abhijeet Sangle
Sh*tal S. More

The All India Seafarers Union (AISU) expresses serious concern regarding the prevailing situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global maritime route currently operating under restricted and highly volatile conditions.

While authorities have indicated that the Strait remains open, maritime movement continues to be tightly controlled, with heightened military presence, security clearances, and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Reports of attacks on commercial vessels, presence of sea mines, and restricted navigation corridors underline the persistent risks faced by seafarers transiting this region.

Indian seafarers, who form a significant portion of the global maritime workforce, are directly exposed to these dangers. Many vessels with Indian crew members remain delayed, rerouted, or anchored under uncertain conditions, raising serious concerns over their safety, mental well-being, and contractual rights.

In light of the above, AISU strongly urges immediate and coordinated action from shipping companies, regulatory authorities, and the Government of India on the following critical issues:

1. Safety First Policy
No Indian seafarer should be compelled to sail through the Strait of Hormuz without comprehensive risk assessment, adherence to international maritime safety advisories, and adequate security arrangements.

2. Right to Refuse Risky Voyages
Seafarers must be granted the unequivocal right to refuse deployment in high-risk or conflict-prone zones without fear of termination, blacklisting, or contractual penalties.

3. War Risk Allowance and Compensation
AISU demands mandatory war risk allowance, enhanced wages, and clearly defined compensation frameworks for injury, detention, or loss of life arising from operations in conflict-affected areas.

4. Crew Welfare and Mental Health Support
Shipping companies must ensure timely crew changes, limit prolonged exposure in high-risk zones, and provide access to mental health support systems for affected seafarers.

5. Real-Time Communication and Transparency
There is an urgent need for a centralized information system providing real-time updates on navigational safety, risk advisories, and emergency protocols.

6. Government Intervention and Diplomatic Action
AISU calls upon the Government of India to intensify diplomatic engagement with regional authorities to ensure the safety and security of Indian seafarers, including the facilitation of safe maritime corridors and emergency assistance if required.

7. Legal and Contractual Protection
Seafarer employment contracts must be strengthened to include explicit clauses addressing war-zone deployment, insurance coverage, and protection against abandonment.

AISU stands firmly committed to safeguarding the rights, dignity, and safety of Indian seafarers. We urge all stakeholders to act responsibly and proactively in preventing any loss of life or exploitation of seafarers during this critical period.

The Union will continue to monitor the situation closely and will not hesitate to escalate matters at national and international levels if adequate measures are not implemented.

Sanjay V. Pawar
Abhijeet Sangle
Sh*tal S. More

Directorate General of Shipping, India
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India