Pranaam - Seafarer Assistance & Facilitation Counter
The Pranaam – Seafarer Assistance & Facilitation Counter is a pioneering initiative of the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), supported by the Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society (SWFS), maritime unions, and international partners. India’s first dedicated airport assistance facility exclusively for seafarers is established at Mumbai International Airport Terminal 2 (T2), designed to ensure stress free, compliant, and efficient pre departure processing for crew members traveling overseas.
The counter operates 24×7 and provides comprehensive support including document verification, e Migrate cross checks, airline coordination, immigration facilitation, escorted movement, fast track assistance, escalation handling, and emergency response. It reduces last minute offloading, prevents documentation errors, and ensures safe, dignified, and seamless travel for Indian seafarers.
Vision
To create a safe, dignified, and globally compliant travel environment for Indian seafarers through professional, reliable, and integrated facilitation services at major international airports.
The vision aligns with DGS’s broader mandate of ensuring welfare, legal protection, and smooth mobility of Indian maritime professionals worldwide.
Strategic Objectives
- Enhance Seafarer Safety & Compliance
- Prevent documentation-related offloading, detentions, and immigration complications.
- Ensure adherence to e-Migrate, visa, CDC, and international travel norms.
- Improve Efficiency at Airports
- Reduce congestion and delays by pre-screening and organized passenger flow.
- Enable priority check-in and coordinated processing with airlines and immigration.
- Strengthen Welfare Support
- Offer on-ground assistance, guidance and emergency escalation support.
- Serve as an accessible contact point for maritime welfare information.
- Promote Stakeholder Collaboration
- Integrate support from DGS, SWFS, NUSI, MUI, UK Home Office, CISF, airlines and airport operators for seamless functioning.
- Establish National & International Credibility
- Showcase India’s commitment to seafarer welfare and global compliance, particularly for UK-bound crew.
Strategic Objectives
- 24×7 staffed counter with trained Guest Relations Officers (GROs)
- Real time document verification: Passport, Visa, CDC, SID, e-Migrate Form I, joining letter, travel itinerary
- Clearance token issuance enabling priority processing at check-in and immigration
- Escorted assistance for baggage handling, navigation within the terminal, and queue support
- Fast track movement to check-in counters and immigration lanes
- Escalation Protocol linked to DGCOMM (24×7 helpline), DGS Crew Branch, and airport security agencies
- Weekly reporting, data security, and privacy safeguards as part of DGS governance
- Airport coordination with CISF, Adani Airport, and airline operators
Way Forward
- Expansion to multiple airports to establish national coverage
- Creation of a single-window digital platform for registration, tracking, and analytics
- Deployment of AI-driven verification tools for faster document screening
- Introduction of seafarer-specific lounges and priority boarding partnerships with airlines
- Continuous training programs for GROs, CISF, and airline liaison staff
- Integration with SWFS welfare schemes to create a unified assistance ecosystem
Conclusion
The Pranaam – Seafarer Assistance & Facilitation Counter marks a transformative shift in India’s approach to seafarer welfare. By combining technology, multi agency collaboration, 24×7 on ground assistance, and strong compliance frameworks, it ensures that Indian seafarers receive world class support at the start of every international voyage. The initiative reflects India’s commitment to protecting its maritime workforce, reducing avoidable risks, and enabling a dignified, stress free travel experience that upholds the highest global standards.
