DGMA Launches Seafarer Tracking Module on e-NAVIK: A New Step Towards Protecting Indian Seafarers

India's Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has launched a Seafarer Tracking Module on the e-NAVIK DGMA Portal, marking a significant step towards strengthening the safety, welfare and emergency response capability for Indian seafarers operating in high-risk maritime regions.

The development comes against the backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions and security threats affecting the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bab-el-Mandeb, Black Sea and waters around Somalia.

What is the Seafarer Tracking Module?

The module, launched in beta on e-NAVIK, provides DGMA with a centralised operational view of Indian seafarers onboard vessels. Once vessel and crew information is updated by RPSLs, shipowners, ship managers and ship operators, DGMA can monitor the presence of Indian seafarers in designated high-risk regions and use the information to support coordinated maritime safety, welfare and emergency-response efforts.

What information needs to be updated?

• Vessel identification and voyage-related information.

• Details of Indian seafarers onboard the vessel.

• RPSL particulars, where applicable.

• The vessel's current geographical position, with position history maintained through subsequent updates.

Immediate priority: high-risk areas

With immediate effect, DGMA has directed all RPSLs and concerned shipowners, ship managers and operators to prioritise updating vessels and Indian crew operating in high-risk areas.

• Persian Gulf — west of the Strait of Hormuz

• Gulf of Oman — east of the Strait of Hormuz

• Red Sea

• Gulf of Aden

• Black Sea

Daily position and crew updates

After the initial registration, vessel position is to be updated daily, while crew sign-on and sign-off information is to be maintained regularly. The module therefore depends on disciplined operational updates from shipping companies and RPSLs to remain useful as a current picture of seafarer exposure is built.

What if the vessel position is not known?

The circular recognises that the exact vessel position may not always be immediately available. In such cases, users can add the vessel by selecting the relevant geographical region from a dropdown and update the vessel's position later when accurate information becomes available.

A practical monitoring tool, not just a database

The user guide provides registered RPSL and Shipping Company users with functions to manage their fleets, add vessels, confirm Indian crew, update current positions, view maps and position history, and search or filter vessels by region and status.

The dashboard also highlights the age of position information. A position older than six hours is shown as requiring attention, while information older than 24 hours is highlighted more critically. This creates a simple operational prompt for users to keep vessel information current.

Confidentiality and controlled access

DGMA has stated that vessel position information will be treated as confidential and access will be restricted to authorised personnel. This is particularly important because the module deals with information that could indicate the location and exposure of Indian seafarers in sensitive maritime regions.

Why this matters to the Indian maritime community

For seafarers and their families, the value of the module lies in DGMA having a more reliable picture of where Indian seafarers are deployed during periods of heightened risk. For shipowners, operators and RPSLs, it introduces a clear responsibility to keep vessel and crew information current.

The system could also become increasingly valuable during a major security incident, evacuation requirement, search-and-rescue situation or welfare emergency, because authorities would have a structured source of information on vessels carrying Indian seafarers in affected regions.

Looking ahead: automation

DGMA has indicated that it is exploring automation to minimise manual updates. If successfully integrated with reliable operational data sources, this could reduce the administrative burden on companies while improving the timeliness and accuracy of information available to the authorities.

Bottom line

The Seafarer Tracking Module represents an important move towards a more coordinated, data-driven approach to protecting Indian seafarers. Its effectiveness, however, will depend heavily on the quality and timeliness of information supplied by the maritime industry.

For shipping companies, managers, operators and RPSLs, the message from Circular No. 56 of 2026 is clear: update high-risk-area vessels and Indian crew as a priority, maintain daily vessel-position information, and keep sign-on/sign-off records current.

Source: DGMA Circular No. 56 of 2026, dated 04 September 2026 — Launch of Seafarer Tracking Module on e-NAVIK DGMA Portal.