Overview On 18 July 2025, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), India, issued Circular 31/2025—a policy that has ignited intense debate within the Indian seafaring community. The circular addresses the challenge of fraudulent and unapproved maritime certifications among Indian seafarers ...
Shippys.org Latest Articles
Women in Shipping – Progress, Challenges, and the Reality Check
Vikramjit Singh
The shipping industry, one of the oldest and most male-dominated sectors, is undergoing a slow but visible transformation. As part of the push toward gender equality, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, many maritime organizations are now ...
Indian Seafarers: Respected Today, But Will We Stay in Demand Tomorrow?
wanderer
Indian seafarers have long been a force to reckon with in the global maritime industry. We’re among the highest-paid Asian seafarers, commanding respect on the bridge, in the engine room, and in management roles ashore. Shipowners continue to hire Indians ...
Is the 2nd Officer the Next Victim of AI in the Merchant Navy?
wanderer
Once, every ship had a Radio Officer. Then came GMDSS, satellite communications, and automation—and the role faded into history. Today, the 2nd Officer, long seen as the ship’s navigator and planner, might be heading toward a similar fate, thanks to ...
Why Are All Ports Not Convenient for Seafarers?
Vikramjit Singh
The shipping industry is the silent engine of globalization—carrying over 90% of world trade across oceans. It’s often said that if shipping were to stop, half the world would go hungry. Yet, amid this undeniable importance, one vital element remains ...
Medical Help Onboard – A Matter of Empathy, Not Ego
wanderer
This article is based on a real-life experience shared anonymously by a general steward with Shippys.org, a platform that gives voice to seafarers’ untold stories. The steward recalled an incident where, upon reporting a genuine health concern to the 2nd ...
Life of a Seafarer: A Brief Overview
Vikramjit Singh
Author is a Chief Officer who has spent over a decade navigating the world’s oceans, leading deck operations and ensuring the safety of crew, cargo, and vessel alike. Through his writing, he hopes to bridge the gap between land and ...
Risk Assessment Overkill: When Safety Procedures Become a Comedy
wanderer
Safety at sea is sacred. As mariners, we know better than anyone that cutting corners can cost lives. Hazard identification, risk assessments, and proper procedures are the backbone of our industry—when applied correctly. But somewhere along the way, common sense ...
New Crew Onboard, Show Patience Not Judgment
wanderer
Change is inevitable, especially in the dynamic environment of shipboard operations. When a seasoned, efficient crew member signs off and a new one joins, comparisons are bound to happen. The old guy knew every tool’s location, every shortcut in the ...
The Forgotten Human Element: Why Timely Sign-Offs Should Be Treated as Critical Operations
wanderer
Every time a seafarer’s sign-off gets delayed, it’s not just a logistical hiccup—it’s a broken promise. A promise that they will return home on time, attend their child’s birthday, be with an ailing parent, or simply rest after months of exhausting ...
