Merchant Shipping Office Sri Lanka
Merchant Shipping Office Sri Lanka is the operating arm of Sri Lanka’s Directorate General of Merchant Shipping (DGMS), the national shipping administration responsible for supervising maritime matters in the country. The DGMS develops and implements the government’s maritime safety policy and ensures compliance with international and national regulations related to the sea and shipping operations. Its remit includes safeguarding lives and property at sea, maritime education and training, and the certification and licensing framework essential to the Sri Lankan maritime sector.
Key functions include the registration of ships under the Sri Lanka flag, licensing and monitoring of shipping agents, container depot operators, container terminal operators, container freight stations, freight forwarders, and non-vessel operating common carriers. The DGMS also undertakes compliance checks for both Sri Lankan-flagged vessels and foreign-flagged ships visiting Sri Lankan ports in accordance with flag state and port state control requirements.
In addition to regulatory enforcement, the office is involved in facilitation activities aimed at supporting ship owners, seafarers, and the broader maritime community. This includes seafarer registration, enforcement and termination of crew agreements, and facilitation of employment opportunities for Sri Lankan seafarers on foreign-flag vessels. The DGMS handles the issuance and revalidation of seafarer documents such as Continuous Discharge Certificates (CDCs) and competency certificates, as well as the registration of seafarers themselves.
The Directorate also plays a role in the preparation of foreign shipping agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), and in the review and analysis of operating results and long- and short-term strategic plans. Information on budgets, management accounts, and statistical or financial data is prepared to support informed decision-making within the maritime administration.
Overall, the Merchant Shipping Office Sri Lanka functions as a central authority for maritime safety, regulatory compliance, ship registration, and seafarer services within Sri Lanka, contributing to a stable and compliant maritime sector aligned with international conventions and standards.
