The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on May 04, 2023, issued a notification regarding the Mandatory possession of Bio-metric Seafarer’s Identity Documents (BSID) for seafarers that intend to visit Ports in Brazil and in other countries.
The following has been stated namely: -
• The Brazilian Authorities gave an extension to recognize the Indian Seamen Book (CDC) issued under ILO Regulation 108, for crew joining or signing off the vessel till April 30, 2023
• Since the extension so provided by the Brazilian Authorities has ended, all the stakeholders are requested to ensure the following:
1. The seafarers who are being recruited on board a vessel that may visit any Port in Brazil must be in possession of Bio-metric Seafarers Identity Documents (BSID).
2. Necessary provision of repatriation may be made for seafarers who are already engaged on board vessels that may visit Ports in Brazil and who are not in possession of BSID.
3. The Shipping/RPSL companies, that are to engage seafarers having BSID on board such vessels that may visit Ports in Brazil.
• All seafarers are to have their BSID card issued and all ship owners and RPSLs are also requested to ensure that the seafarers on board their vessel are in possession of BSID cards. If not, the seafarers may be encouraged to get their data captured at the nearest data-capturing center.
[Notification No. 23-68011/34/2020-Crew-DGS]
