New Delhi: Maritime regulator DG Shipping on Thursday barred 366 foreign-flagged ships from embarking Indian seafarers as they are accused of abandoning seafarers through non-payment of wages, denying compensation in death or missing cases, causing undue hardships to crew members and lack of assistance in the return of Indian seafarers. DG Shipping cautioned Recruitment and Placement Service License (RPSL) holders against placing seafarers on these vessels, saying it is a violation of national maritime rules and international obligations. In a circular issued to RPSL companies and all Indian seafarers, 278 vessels have been placed in the “restricted” category and the remaining 88 in the “blacklisted” category. DG Shipping also directed all RPSLs to submit details of Indian seafarers embarked on these vessels within 14 days. The maritime regulator said in its order, “…in view of the serious violations of seafarer welfare, abandonment practices and non-compliance with international conventions, 366 vessels are prohibited with immediate effect from engaging Indian seafarers through any RPSL company approved by DG Shipping, until compliance with the above provisions is duly ensured.”