Roles & Responsibilities
Nautical Wing Functions
The Nautical Wing of the Directorate General of Shipping administers the full spectrum of regulatory, safety, security, and international obligations under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, and applicable IMO conventions. The sections below set out the complete mandate of the Wing.
Ship Operations & Registration
Navigational Safety
Port & Security Operations
Ship Operations, Safety & Navigation
6 FunctionsShip Registration & OperationsUNCLOS & MS Act
- Ship Registration
- Policy matters
- Indian tonnage augmentation
- Single Voyage Permission
- Towing Permission
- Safe Manning
- Related dispensation
- Specific Period Licence (Nautical Matters)
- Policy matters
Maritime SafetyMMDAC
- Emergency Response
- Wreck and Salvage
- Maritime Assistance Services
- Emergency Towing Vessel
Casualty InvestigationCIC Code
- Reports
- Analysis
- Policy matters
- SOLAS Chapter V
- Dispensation
Safety in Carriage of CargoSOLAS Ch VI, VII & MARPOL Annex III
- IMSBC
- IMDG
- Verified Gross Mass of Containers
- Policy matters and Dispensation
Seafarer Standards & Welfare
Examinations, Welfare & International Conventions
3 FunctionsExaminationsSTCW
- Policy matter
- Assessment and Exams
- Certification
ILO MattersMedical Health
International Cooperation & Conventions
- IMO Matters
- WMU Matters
- OCIMF, INTERTANKO, ICS, and others
- MSW (FAL Convention)
- IOPC Funds
Security, Ports & Infrastructure
Security, Ports & Communication Systems
3 FunctionsMaritime Security BranchUNCLOS / MS Act
Direct Functions
- Policy
- Piracy
- Security Conflicts and Related Issues
- MMDAC
International and Intergovernmental Coordination
Ports
- Navigational Safety in Ports
- Maritime Single Window
- ISPS (Bureau of Port Security)
ISPS
- SOLAS Chapter XI-2 (ISPS)
- Security Audits and Certification
- SOLAS Chapter IV
- GMDSS and Examination matter
- SOLAS XI-1 (Radio and Ship Identification)
- LRIT and related dispensation
- ITU and World Radio Conference (WRC)
Insurance, Liability, Lifesaving & Innovation
Insurance, Liability, LSA & Special Projects
3 Functions- Non-IG Insurance Approval
- LLMC, Wreck, CLC, IOPC, Bunker, and related conventions
- IG P&I
Life-Saving AppliancesLSA (SOLAS Chapter III)
- SOLAS Chapter III (LSA)
- Dispensations
- Liferaft
- LSA Service Station
Special Projects & Innovation
- Space and related matter (ISRO / INCOIS)
- Maritime Knowledge Cluster
Approved Entities, Service Stations & Certificate Checkers
Approved Entities under MS Act & Certificate Checkers
The Directorate General of Shipping maintains a directory of entities approved under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. The links below provide branch-specific information on approved entities and direct access to online portals for verification of seafarer certificates and vessel documentation.
▶ Approved Entities, Branch Information
Casualty Investigation Branch
Maritime casualty investigations, accident reports, and entities approved under the CIC Code and MS Act.
Visit Casualty Branch Maritime Health Branch
Approved medical examiners, seafarer fitness standards, and MLC-related health compliance entities.
Visit Health Branch Insurance Branch
Approved P&I clubs, non-IG insurance entities, LLMC, CLC, IOPC, and Bunker Convention compliance information.
Visit Insurance Branch Cargo Branch
Approved entities for cargo safety under SOLAS Chapters VI and VII, IMSBC, IMDG, and MARPOL Annex III.
Visit Cargo Branch DGS Communication Centre
Official portal for maritime communication services, GMDSS matters, and radio inspection related functions.
Visit DGS Comm Centre ▶ Approved Service Stations
List of Approved Life Raft Service Stations
Service stations approved by DGS for the testing, inspection, and annual servicing of inflatable life rafts on board Indian-flag vessels, under SOLAS Chapter III and the LSA Code.
View List Approved Service Stations for EPIRB, SART, AIS & Radio Communication Equipment
Service stations approved by DGS for testing and servicing of EPIRB, SART, AIS, and other radio communication equipment under SOLAS Chapter IV, SOLAS XI-1, and GMDSS requirements.
View List ▶ Online Certificate and Document Verification
CDC Checker
Verify the authenticity of a seafarer's Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) issued by DGS.
Verify CDC INDoS Number Checker
Check the Indian National Database of Seafarers (INDoS) number and registration details for any Indian seafarer.
Verify INDoS COC Verification
Verify the validity and authenticity of Certificates of Competency (COC) issued to deck and engine officers by DGS.
Verify COC Ship Survey Checker
Check survey status, statutory certificates, and inspection records for Indian-registered vessels via eSamudra.
Check Ship Survey 
