Crew Change at Indian Ports: What to Plan For

Who runs a crew change at an Indian port

At Chennai, Cochin and Mumbai the port agent coordinates the change. That means the agent arranges immigration, transport, berthing and supplies, so for a master or fleet superintendent the agent is the first call and the last confirmation.

These four pieces depend on each other. A berth that is confirmed while a visa is still pending will still stop the change, and a hotel transfer with no berth time is just a guess. Give the agent the crew list and the vessel schedule as early as you can, so each piece can be fixed in sequence rather than chased one at a time.

The DG Shipping SOPs and what they set

Crew changes at these ports follow DG Shipping's SOPs, named as Order 12 2020 and Addendum 1. Your agent coordinates the process, but the steps come from those documents and not from the agent or the port. Ask which version applies to your call before you commit to dates, and ask where an instruction comes from if it seems unusual.

Health rules sit under the same umbrella and are the part most likely to move. The summary records that crew arriving from foreign ports need a 14-day quarantine and a negative COVID-19 test, unless the vessel is Indian-flag and operating exclusively on coastal routes. Treat that as a record of what was required, not as a promise of what applies on your arrival day. Ask your agent to confirm the current health position in writing before the crew travel.

The coastal exception is narrow. An Indian-flag vessel that also trades abroad does not fit the description, so do not assume it applies.

Seaman e-visa and e-pass for foreign crew

Foreign seafarers must obtain an Indian Seaman e-visa, or an e-pass. A mixed crew may include some people who need one and some who do not, so sort the crew list by nationality first.

For the e-pass, ship owners or RPS agencies apply on the crew's behalf through DG Shipping's portal. The seafarer does not normally apply alone, which means the owner side needs accurate crew details ready before the call. The summary gives no processing time, so ask your agent for a realistic one and build the dates around it.

• Identify which crew members are foreign nationals
• Confirm whether each person needs an e-visa or an e-pass
• Have the owner or the RPS agency apply through the DG Shipping portal
• Keep a copy of each approval in the crew change file

Stores a vessel takes on during the change

Vessels typically take on provisions, fresh water, bunker fuel and PPE during the change. The vessel is alongside, the agent is already coordinating the call, and the incoming crew will be the ones using what is loaded.

Plan stores together with the crew movements, not after them. Raise the requisition early so quantities can be checked against the crew numbers for the next leg. Of the four items, provisions and PPE are the ones a ship chandler supplies. See provisions and PPE and medical supplies for the categories.

• Provisions for the incoming crew
• Fresh water
• Bunker fuel
• PPE for the new crew members

Crew change planning checklist

• Confirm the port agent and share the crew list and vessel schedule early
• Ask which version of the DG Shipping SOPs applies to your call
• Mark which crew members are foreign and need an e-visa or e-pass
• Have the owner or RPS agency apply for the e-pass through the DG Shipping portal
• Get the current health requirements for arriving crew confirmed in writing
• Send the requisition for provisions and PPE alongside the crew plan

Keep every approval and confirmation in one file so the master can show it on arrival.

Putting the plan together and asking for a quote

Work through the checklist below with your agent, then send your stores requisition as soon as the crew change dates are firm. A clear requisition is easier to price and easier to check against the crew list. Send one through the request a quote page.

A2Z serves the port of Chennai.

FAQ

Who arranges a crew change at Chennai, Cochin or Mumbai?

The port agent. The agent coordinates immigration, transport, berthing and supplies, so owners and masters work through them.

Do foreign seafarers need a visa for a crew change in India?

Yes. Foreign seafarers must obtain an Indian Seaman e-visa, or an e-pass.

Who applies for the e-pass?

Ship owners or RPS agencies apply for the e-pass on the crew's behalf via DG Shipping's portal.

What health checks should I confirm for arriving crew?

The published summary records a 14-day quarantine and a negative COVID-19 test for crew arriving from foreign ports, with an exception for Indian-flag vessels operating exclusively on coastal routes. Rules like these change, so ask your agent what applies on your arrival date.

What stores do vessels usually take on during a crew change?

Vessels typically take on provisions, fresh water, bunker fuel and PPE.

Sources: DG Shipping.