The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has taken strict action against 97 rogue recruitment and placement service (RPS) agencies in India between January 2024 and May 2025. A total of 74 agencies were blocked, five were suspended, and 18 had their licenses permanently revoked due to violations such as fraudulent recruitments and exploitation of seafarers.
The crackdown was triggered by rising complaints from seafarers who were lured by these agencies using fake documentation. Once deployed on ships, many seafarers faced inhumane conditions and were often abandoned without support. With over 2,50,000 Indian seafarers working globally, the government is aiming to tighten regulation and enforcement in accordance with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006.
Currently, 71 vessels related to these violations are under active investigation, all of which are abroad. Marine HR expert Capt. Sanjay Prashar praised the action and credited whistleblower seafarers for exposing the wrongdoings. He emphasized that the industry has over 500 RPS agencies and such actions will restore trust in legitimate and quality-driven recruitment practices.