DGMA prohibits deployment of Indian marines in Sarawak region of Malaysia

CHENNAI

The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has expressed concern over the recurring fatal accidents involving young Indian seafarers and has banned the recruitment or employment of Indian seafarers in the Sarawak region of Malaysia.

The shipping regulator has ordered Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) companies not to employ Indian seafarers for Sarawak region’s inland, riverine and coastal vessels, saying fatal accidents involving young Indian seafarers deployed in Malaysia have been repeated year after year.

As part of India-Malaysia bilateral cooperation on matters relating to the safety and regulation of Indian seafarers, the Malaysian Maritime Department (MMD) has provided findings and recommended preventive measures governing the recruitment, deployment, check-in and check-out of Indian seafarers on Malaysian-flagged vessels to reduce fatalities.

Citing provisions under Section 301 of the Merchant Shipping Act 2025, the DGMA asked the RPSL agencies not to deploy Indian seafarers on any vessel operating exclusively in the inland, riverine, coastal or harbor waters of the Sarawak region of Malaysia.

Insurance cover of ₹ 1 crore

In a related development, the DGMA told RPSL agencies to provide compulsory insurance for Indian seafarers on board foreign-flagged vessels. The standard would apply to vessels that were not covered by protection and indemnity (P&I) insurance. In cases where the vessel was not covered by P&I insurance, the RPSL should ensure that a compulsory insurance cover of at least ₹ 1 trillion per seafarer is obtained from any of the insurance companies approved by the Insurance Development Authority of India (IRDA).

Such insurance was needed to ensure the dignity, safety and welfare of Indian seafarers and to ensure the availability of valid and verifiable financial security in respect of vessels employing Indian seafarers, the DGMA said.

Published – 16 Oct 2026 0:44 IST