The CDC (Continuous Discharge Certificate) is a seafarer’s official maritime identity document and service record, issued by DG Shipping — the document that actually records your career at sea.
What the CDC Actually Contains
- Personal identification details
- A continuous record of every vessel joined and discharged, with dates — the “continuous discharge” the name refers to
- Rank held on each vessel
- Physical description and photograph, similar in function to an ID document
CDC vs Passport: Genuinely Different Documents
A common point of confusion for new cadets — the passport is your general international travel document; the CDC is specifically your maritime employment and service record. You need both to work at sea internationally, but they serve entirely different purposes and are issued by different authorities.
CDC and INDoS: The Relationship
Before receiving a CDC, a seafarer must first register on the INDoS (Indian National Database of Seafarers) — INDoS registration comes first, establishing your official record in the national database, and the CDC is then issued referencing that INDoS registration. You can’t get a CDC without INDoS registration first.
Why the CDC Matters Practically
- Required for employment — shipping companies and manning agents require a valid CDC before signing on Indian seafarers
- ECNR eligibility — holding a CDC (or INDoS registration) is what qualifies a seafarer for ECNR (Emigration Check Not Required) passport status, avoiding the eMigrate clearance process that applies to ECR passport holders
- Service verification — the continuous record of vessels served is often referenced during promotion, further training eligibility, and competency exam applications, which typically require documented sea time
Applying for a CDC
The application process runs through DG Shipping’s official channels, requiring completed INDoS registration, medical fitness certification, and other standard documentation — genuine, verifiable steps rather than something a recruiting agent should be charging unusual fees to expedite.
Exam Relevance
CDC’s purpose, its relationship to INDoS, and its role in ECNR status are core Ship Knowledge topics in deck and engineering officer competency exams, and genuinely practical knowledge for any seafaring career.