The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) announced the migration of services concerning the issuance of Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDC) and Certificates of Competency (CoC) as Cook to the e-Samudra Portal, effective October 26, 2026. This initiative aims to enhance the efficiency of processes involved in the certification of maritime personnel.
New Application Process
Starting October 26, 2026, all fresh applications for CDCs—regardless of category, including replacements, duplicates, and renewals—alongside CoCs as Cook, will be submitted exclusively through the e-Samudra Portal. This transition simplifies the application procedure for seafarers and stakeholders involved in maritime operations.
Notably, the requirement for applicants to submit their old CDC Booklets for replacement has been eliminated when applying through the new portal. This change is expected to facilitate a smoother transition for seafarers who necessitate replacements of their certification documents.
Processing Existing Applications
Seafarers who have already submitted applications for CDCs or Cook CoCs through the previous e-Governance portal will not need to reapply on the e-Samudra Portal. The existing applications will be processed according to established procedures, ensuring no disruption in service for those who have initiated their applications prior to this migration.
Those intending to utilize the new e-Samudra Portal can access it at the official website, while assistance is available for any technical queries that may arise during the application process.
Why It Matters
The migration to the e-Samudra Portal illustrates the Indian government’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiencies within the maritime sector. Streamlining the application process for CDCs and CoCs contributes to reducing bureaucratic delays, which can impact crew readiness and vessel operations. For shipping companies and seafarers, this digital transformation allows for quicker processing times and easier access to essential certification services. As the industry adapts to these changes, monitoring the impact on crew operational capabilities and application timeframes will be critical going forward.
