Official biometric maritime identity smart card issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) under ILO Convention No. 185 and Merchant Shipping Rules, providing Indian merchant navy seafarers with international recognition, visa-free shore leave, and expedited transit across global maritime ports
The BSID complies with the highest global maritime security standards. It eliminates the need for routine transit visas when signing on or signing off merchant vessels in foreign signatory ports, safeguarding Indian seafarers against arbitrary immigration detentions during crew changes.
💡 The Biometric Seafarer Identity Document (BSID) is a secure, tamper-proof biometric identity smart card issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) under International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 185. Embedded with facial biometric data, optical security micro-features, and linked to the seafarer's Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC), it serves as universal international proof of maritime identity, enabling seamless visa-free transit, crew transfers, and shore leave privileges at international foreign seaports.
Differentiating international maritime identity, sea service logging, and foundational national travel documents.
| Maritime Document | Governing Body | Core Function & Data Stored | International Recognition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biometric Seafarer ID Document (BSID) | DGS / ILO 185 Biometric Seafarer Card | Biometric identity verification guaranteeing visa-free shore leave and expedited transit during crew changes | Valid for 10 years; mandated under ILO Convention 185; smart card with biometric facial recognition. |
| Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) | Government of India Seaman's Employment Record | Official logbook of sea service, vessel particulars, rank, sign-on dates, and sign-off discharges | Valid for 10 years; mandatory for working on merchant vessels; records voyage history. |
| Indian International Passport | Ministry of External Affairs Travel Document | Foundational citizenship and global sovereign travel document | Required for general entry/exit; used in conjunction with CDC and BSID for international airport immigration. |
Online application takes 10 minutes; biometric appointment at designated DGS center takes 15 minutes; printed BSID smart card dispatched by Speed Post within 7 to 14 working days.
Statutory application fee of ₹300 (plus applicable payment gateway charges) payable online on the DGS portal.
Must be an Indian citizen holding a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) issued by the Government of India, an active INDoS Number, and updated e-Governance profile on the DGS portal.
All Indian merchant navy officers, trainee cadets, ratings, engine room staff, and offshore crew who hold an active Indian Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) and sign on/off merchant cargo, tanker, passenger, or cruise ships calling at international ports.
Access the official DGS portal at https://www.dgshipping.gov.in/, log in with your INDoS Number and password, and navigate to the 'BSID' module.
Confirm that personal credentials (name, date of birth, passport, and CDC numbers) match existing maritime certificates perfectly.
Pay the ₹300 application fee online via net banking, debit card, or UPI through the Bharatkosh gateway.
Book a convenient date and time slot at a designated BSID center (Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Noida, Goa, Kochi, Visakhapatnam, etc.).
Visit the center with original CDC and Passport; modern biometric cameras capture facial and iris data. The processed smart card is dispatched directly to your registered residential address.
Log into the DGS portal 6 months prior to expiry, submit a renewal application, and schedule a fresh biometric re-enrolment appointment.
If your passport is renewed, update the passport number on your DGS master profile first before linking it to your BSID record.
File a police lost report (NCR) or master's official logbook entry on board, then apply for a duplicate replacement card on the DGS portal.
Open https://www.dgshipping.gov.in/ and select 'BSID Checker / Verification'.
Submit your credentials to query the central maritime seafarer database.
View live card status, validity dates (typically 10 years), and download the official verification slip containing the digital security hash.
Solutions for technical booking errors and postal tracking issues.
| Issue Observed | Probable Cause | Actionable Remedy |
|---|---|---|
| Portal error: 'Profile Incomplete or Photo Not Approved in DGS Profile' | DGS master profile photo specifications | Upload a compliant 35x45mm white-background photograph and signature in the DGS e-Governance profile and wait for Shipping Master approval. |
| Speed Post tracking number shows card returned to sender (RTO) | Address mismatch or unavailability of recipient during delivery | Contact the Regional Shipping Master's office; collect the returned smart card in person by showing original CDC. |
| Foreign port immigration authority unable to scan BSID barcode | ILO 185 standard reader compatibility | Request port authorities to use the online DGS BSID verification portal (dgshipping.gov.in) to verify the card hash in real time. |
Yes. The Directorate General of Shipping has made it mandatory for all Indian seafarers holding a CDC to possess a BSID. Most major foreign maritime administrations and port state control bodies refuse shore leave without an ILO 185-compliant biometric identity card.
A BSID card is issued with a validity of 10 years (or up to the remaining validity of the seafarer's Continuous Discharge Certificate, whichever is earlier). It must be renewed upon expiry.
No. The BSID card is not a passport. While it provides shore leave and visa-free crew transit privileges at ports, you must always carry your valid Indian Passport for international air travel, airport immigration, and border crossings.
BSID is primarily issued to seafarers holding a valid Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) engaged in coastal or international merchant shipping. Inland vessel crew not holding a DG Shipping CDC are not eligible.
Official instructions for BSID registration, appointment booking, fee structure, and FAQs.
Global standards governing biometric seafarers' identity documents and international transit rights.
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Issued under the statutory authority of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, in compliance with ILO Convention 185.
Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) →