Seafarers' Welfare Fund Society

The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), functioning under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, is the apex maritime authority and principal statutory regulator under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. The DGMA is entrusted with safeguarding India's maritime interests, ensuring compliance with national and international maritime obligations, and promoting safe, secure, sustainable, and efficient maritime operations. The major areas of responsibility are as follows:

1. Maritime Governance and National Maritime Interest

• Serve as the apex administrative interface and statutory maritime authority of India.
• Formulate, implement, and administer policies and regulatory frameworks to protect and further India's maritime interests.
• Coordinate maritime governance initiatives with Central Ministries, State Governments, maritime administrations, and other stakeholders.
• Oversee implementation of maritime legislation, rules, conventions, codes, and international obligations applicable to India.

2. Seafarer Welfare, Safety and Maritime Labour Administration

• Ensure the welfare, safety, security, rights, and working conditions of Indian seafarers at all times.
• Regulate maritime employment, certification, training, competency standards, welfare measures, grievance redressal, and repatriation assistance.
• Ensure compliance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) and other international labour standards applicable to seafarers.

3. Marine Environment Protection and Pollution Prevention

• Safeguard the marine environment through enforcement of national laws and international environmental conventions.
• Prevent, regulate, monitor, and respond to marine pollution arising from vessels, offshore activities, and maritime operations.
• Oversee ballast water management, waste reception facilities, anti-pollution measures, and other environmental protection initiatives.

4. Vessel Registration, Survey, Certification and Flag State Administration

• Regulate the registration, ownership, survey, certification, and operational aspects of Indian vessels and other seagoing craft.
• Establish and enforce standards relating to vessel design, seaworthiness, construction, safety equipment, and statutory certification.
• Exercise Flag State responsibilities to ensure compliance of Indian vessels with national and international requirements.

5. Port State Control and Maritime Compliance Enforcement

• Conduct Port State Control inspections and other statutory inspections to verify compliance of vessels operating in Indian waters.
• Monitor and enforce adherence to international maritime conventions, safety standards, security requirements, and environmental obligations.
• Undertake regulatory oversight of vessel operations, audits, inspections, investigations, and compliance assessments.

6. Maritime Education, Training and Certification

• Regulate and supervise the maritime education and training ecosystem in India, including pre-sea and post-sea institutions.
• Ensure quality standards in maritime training, examinations, certification, accreditation, and competency development.
• Promote professional excellence and continuous skill development within the maritime sector.

7. International Maritime Cooperation and Treaty Implementation

• Represent India at international maritime forums, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), International Labour Organization (ILO), and other multilateral bodies.
• Coordinate implementation of international maritime conventions, protocols, and agreements acceded to by India.
• Promote bilateral and multilateral cooperation in maritime affairs and contribute to the development of global maritime standards.

8. Maritime Security, Port Security and Navigational Safety

• Oversee vessel security, port facility security, and maritime security measures in coordination with relevant authorities.
• Establish and enforce navigational safety standards for commercial seafaring vessels.
• Promote safe navigation, maritime domain awareness, and security of maritime operations within Indian waters and areas under Indian maritime jurisdiction.

9. Multimodal Logistics and Maritime Transport Facilitation

• Facilitate efficient, secure, and economically viable maritime transportation and multimodal logistics systems.
• Monitor and promote safe movement, transit, and transhipment of cargo through major and non-major ports.
• Support initiatives aimed at enhancing ease of doing business, supply chain efficiency, and maritime trade competitiveness.

10. Shipbuilding, Ship Repair and Maritime Industrial Development

• Promote and regulate shipbuilding, ship repair, ship conversion, marine manufacturing, and related maritime industrial activities.
• Establish standards and oversight mechanisms for shipyards and maritime industrial facilities.
• Support modernization and growth of the Indian maritime manufacturing ecosystem.

11. Ship Recycling and Circular Maritime Economy

• Regulate ship recycling activities and ensure compliance with the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships.
• Promote environmentally sustainable and safe recycling practices within the maritime sector.
• Monitor compliance with national and international standards relating to ship dismantling and recycling.

12. Emerging Maritime Technologies and Integrated Maritime Administration

• Regulate and oversee emerging maritime sectors, technologies, offshore units, and other vessels brought within the ambit of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
• Promote integrated maritime administration through digital governance, regulatory modernization, and risk-based oversight mechanisms.
• Support innovation, technology adoption, and development of a future-ready maritime ecosystem.

Head of Department in absence of DG

The Additional Director General of Maritime Administration (Add. DG) serves as a senior executive authority within the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India. Reporting directly to the Director General, the Add. DG plays a pivotal role in policy execution, branch-level coordination, and administrative leadership. The officer is entrusted with overseeing the following critical functional domains:

All matters of Administration Branch, Personnel Branch, Training Branch, Crew Branch, Official Language Branch, Coastal Branch, Merchant Shipping Law Branch, International Cooperation Branch, Coordination Branch, FAAPP Branch, IT & E-Governance Branch, Multi-Modal Transport Branch, Help Desk Branch, Shipping Development Branch and RTI Branch.

The Additional Director General of Maritime Administration provides strategic leadership and supervisory control over the above-mentioned branches. The officer ensures that their functioning aligns with national maritime objectives, policy compliance, and administrative integrity. The Addl. DG also acts as a key advisor to the Director General and represents the Directorate in official engagements as delegated.

Crew Branch

1. Management of Seafarer Welfare Fund Organisation (SWFO) including ERP and oversight responsibilities.
2. Management of Seafarer's Provident Fund Organisation (SPFO) including ERP and administration.
3. Matters related to Sagar Mey Yog (Seafarer's wellness program).
4. Matters related to Sagar Mey Samman (Gender inclusion initiative for seafarers).
5. Development of seafarer welfare infrastructure under SWBAT in collaboration with ports and other authorities.
6. Oversight of seafarer safety training aspects.
7. Handling matters related to Crew Manual and the compilation/updation of all circulars (excluding those under Seafarer Processes subdivision).
8. Supporting efforts to increase India’s share in the global seafarer pool in consultation with the Maritime Training Division/Branch/Wing.
9. Managing CPGRAMS and handling court cases concerning seafarer welfare.
10. Planning and organizing the Crew Milap program as an annual event.
11. Coordinating MoUs with national and international bodies like ISWAN, ITWF, GMU, and the Sailor's Society.

Nautical Wing

1. Handles matters pertaining to SOLAS Chapter III and Chapter XI-2, including LSA and ISPS compliance.
2. In-charge of LSA Dispensation.
3. Serves as NSPC In-charge.
4. Acts as the Management Representative for QMS (Quality Management System).
5. Responsible for handling RTI and public grievances in related subject areas.

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In-Charge of the Accounts Section, responsible for processing all payments and submitting the same for approval; verifying records of shipping companies/RPSL companies and issuing necessary NOCs and Licence Surrender Letters; handling Petty Cash; Handle and process file actions on e-office, making all statutory deposits and filing returns of GST TDS, Income Tax TDS (Forms 24Q & 26Q) and Professional Tax; preparing all types of cheques; processing staff salaries; and audit related work.​

As In-Charge of the Welfare Section, the Senior Assistant shall be responsible for overall supervision, coordination and monitoring of all activities of the Welfare Section, including processing of applications under all Welfare Schemes, payment-related work, Seafarers’ Club-related matters, eOffice processing and submission of files to the Member Secretary, Member Treasurer and other competent authorities, COM/WSC-related work, preparation of reports and statements, administrative matters, maintenance of records relating to MSU, Kran and Welfare Counsellor bills and their processing/follow-up, handling and maintenance of records relating to the Hindi Section and functioning as Hindi Section Secretary, organising monthly awareness programmes on Welfare Schemes, and ensuring timely implementation and compliance of directions/orders issued by the competent authorities.​

In-Charge of Administration Section. To take action on  all administrative, establishment matters & submit to MT/MS for approvals/information, maintaining Inward & Outward. Vendor Management, Housekeeping-Facilities management. All types of tenders/purchases via GeM .Assist with expenses reports, invoices processing & contractual employee engagement activities. Preparation of Agenda & Minutes of Meeting. Inventory tracking.

In-charge of Gratuity Section. To take actions on gratuity applications received from seafarers for withdrawal and submission of files to the Member Secretary, Member Treasurer through eoffice for approval, Handling ledger entries and preparing payment lots, Attending to queries of Shipping Companies & seafarers. 

Working in Administartive Section in order to Handle all inward and outward correspondence, including contribution letter, applications. Maintains and processes staff leave records and routine administrative activities & assisting the Administartive Section In-Charge.

Working in Account Section as a Data Entry Operator for making entries of gratuity & welfare fund receipts & payments, and administrative  expenses payments in Tally System, Banks  reconciliation,  preparation of holding statement of investments in excel sheet format and assisting the Senior Assistant in Accounts Section.

Working in Account section as a data entry operator for Handling monthly bank statement entries and maintaining accurate financial records. Maintaining Excel sheets for company-wise payments and tracking the quarter in which payments are made Working on TDS & GST, including preparing challans. Ensuring accurate and timely data entry and record maintenance from 03/08/2026.

Working in the Welfare Section as a Data Entry Operator, responsible for responding to applicants’ enquiries received through emails, taking necessary action on applications, sending intimation letters to applicants and preparing payment lots of beneficiaries & assisting the Welfare Section In-Charge.

Working in the Welfare Section as a Data Entry Operator, responsible for responding to applicants’ enquiries    received through emails, taking necessary action on applications forwarding lots on e-Office for approval under various welfare schemes. sending intimation letters to applicants & assisting the Welfare Section In-Charge.

Working in Gratuity Section as  a Data Entry operator  for ledger entry in Gratuity System software, attending seafarers for enquiries related to their gratuity making, for ledger entry in Gratuity System software, verifying a lot for payment, taking necessary action on applications forwarding lots on e-Office for approval for gratuity & assisting the Gratuity Section In-Charge.

Working in the Welfare Section as a Data Entry Operator, responsible for responding to applicants’ enquiries received through emails, taking necessary action on under various welfare schemes, and preparing intimation letters of various welfare schemes & assisting the Welfare Section In-Charge.

Working across the Accounts and Gratuity Sections, handling official email correspondence and company/organization flag updates in the Accounts Section. In the Gratuity Section, responsible for making accurate gratuity-related entries in the GMS (Gratuity Management System).​

Working in Gratuity Section as  a Data Entry operator  for ledger entry in Gratuity System software, attending seafarers for enquiries related to their gratuity making, for ledger entry in Gratuity System software, verifying a lot for payment, taking necessary action on applications forwarding lots on e-Office for approval for gratuity & assisting the Gratuity Section In-Charge.

Working in the Administration Section as a Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS), responsible for handling postal work, inward and outward scanning of documents, outdoor duties, general administrative work, and circulation of meeting agendas and minutes to COM members.

Engaged with stakeholders including Destan Ship Management, Maritime Union of India (Patna Branch), and Urmila Institute of Maritime Studies. Supported office operationalization through coordination of Wi-Fi, electrical works, AC maintenance, and stationery arrangements.

• Stakeholder outreach with shipping companies and maritime organizations
• Engagement with Executive Ship Management and Bernhard Schulte Ship Management
• Coordination of office infrastructure repairs and maintenance activities
• Preparation of outreach materials and before/after office setup documentation

• Clworkspaces and common areas
• Sanitization of washrooms and hygiene facilities
• Collection and disposal of office wasteeaning and maintenance of office premises, including