Seafarers Plan Peaceful Mass Protest in Mumbai on Thursday or Friday

 

Seafarers Plan Peaceful Mass Protest in Mumbai on Thursday or Friday

Maritime News, Mumbai, India: The Global Seafarers Union of India (GSUI) has announced a peaceful but firm Gherao (encirclement) of the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) office in Mumbai, likely to be held on Thursday or Friday this week, in protest against the controversial Circular No. 31 of 2025.

The planned demonstration is expected to draw hundreds of Indian seafarers, their families, maritime union representatives, RPSL agents, and allied workers, all demanding the immediate rollback of the circular that has jeopardized the careers of thousands of Indian sailors.

“A Fight for Survival, Not Just Protest” – GSUI

Speaking to the media, Gaurav Porwal, National Coordinator of GSUI, said:

“This protest is not against regulation—it is against arbitrary policymaking without consultation. We will gherao the DG Shipping office to remind them that seafarers are not voiceless. Circular 31 is pushing hardworking Indians toward poverty and unemployment.”

The gherao will also be supported by families of affected seafarers, union volunteers, and former political representatives including GSUI President and former MLC Balaram Patil, who recently sent a detailed representation to the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, demanding a rollback of the circular.

Protest Highlights: What the Seafarers Demand

At the heart of the protest is DGS Circular 31 of 2025, which restricts employment of Indian seafarers holding Certificates of Competency (CoCs) from countries not in bilateral agreement with India. Those affected include seafarers certified by Panama, Honduras, Belize, Liberia, Gabon, and others—all IMO white-listed countries.

GSUI’s protest will focus on the following key demands:

• Immediate suspension of Circular 31
• Recognition of CoCs from IMO-compliant foreign countries
• Protection of seafarers’ livelihoods and rights under Article 21 of the Constitution
• Consultative policymaking, not unilateral decisions
• Grace period and requalification path for impacted workers
• Crackdown on fake agents, not qualified seafarers

Wider Support Growing

Various unions, maritime training institutes, RPSL agencies, Seafarers and legal experts have come forward in support of the GSUI-led movement.

“This is not just a policy error—it’s a national maritime labour crisis in the making,” GSUI stated.

Will DG Shipping Respond?

So far, DG Shipping has maintained that the circular was aimed at ensuring maritime safety and tackling certification fraud. However, the lack of stakeholder consultation, absence of transition time, and sudden disqualification of thousands of seafarers have drawn widespread criticism.

All eyes are now on DG Shipping headquarters in Mumbai, as the seafarers prepare to march peacefully—but with unwavering resolve—later this week.