SEAFARERS’ WELFARE FUND SOCIETY
The Seafarers’ Welfare Fund Society (the SWFS) is set up by the Government of India, Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India, as a Central Organisation for providing the welfare facilities to the Indian seafarers and their families.
The SWFS is registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 on 16.11.1964 and also registered as a Trust under the Bombay Public Trust Act, 1950 on 9.4.1966, as a Charitable Society.
The Society is administratively under the control of Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Govt. of India, which nominates the eminent members from the Indian Shipping fraternity on the Committee of Management, which is the apex body for controlling the business and affairs and the management of the SWFS. The Director General of Shipping is the Ex-officio Chairperson of the SWFS and the other members, who are nominated by the Central Government, represents the Indian Shipping Companies, foreign Ship-owners, Indian seafarers and the Central Government officers.
The SWFS implements various welfare schemes for the seafarers and their families. The SWFS is also the custodian of the seafarers’ gratuity fund.
Welfare Schemes
1. Survivor Benefit Scheme (SBS): Financial assistance to the family of a deceased Indian seafarer
2. Invalidity Benefit Scheme (IBS): Support for Indian seafarers declared permanently unfit for the sea
3. Maternity Benefits Scheme (MBS): Financial assistance for Indian women seafarers during maternity
4. Family Benefit Welfare Scheme (FBWS): Provides support to dependent families of Indian Seafarers
5. Old Age Benefit Welfare Scheme (OABWS): Assistance for seafarers who attain the age of 65 years on or after 01.01.2019
6. Death on Board Benefit Scheme (DBBS): Support in cases of death or presumed death occurring on board
7.Ex-Gratia Support Benefit Scheme (ESBS): Additional financial aid for specific cases of hardship
8. Award to Meritorious Child of Seafarers (AMCS): Educational incentives for children of Indian Seafarers
9. Medical & Term Insurance Premium Assistance Scheme: Provides up to ₹5,000 reimbursement (50% of premium) for medical, critical illness, and term insurance premiums for eligible Indian seafarers.
10. Medical Support Scheme for Critical / Terminal Illness: Offers a one-time ₹2,00,000 financial assistance to eligible Indian CDC holder seafarers diagnosed with IRDA-recognized critical or terminal illnesses.
11. Indian Certificate of Competency (CoC) Recognition & Career Progression Scheme: Grants a one-time ₹2,00,000 incentive to rating seafarers who obtain their first Indian CoC and become officers.
Welfare Schemes By Seafarers' Welfare Fund Society (SWFS)
1. Survivor’s Benefit Scheme (SBS)
- ₹2,00,000 (for death occurred on or after 16.03.2016), ₹ 4,00,000 (for death occurred on or after 29.04.2024) and ₹6,00,000 (for death occurred on or after 27.01.2026).
- Death within 24 months off article period w.e.f. 29.4.2024 and (death within 36 months off article period w.e.f 27.01.2026).
- Paid to the nominee registered for the last voyage before death.
- The deceased seafarer should be last engaged through Indian Shipping Co./RPSL.
- Claim to be submitted within 3 years from the date of death.
2. Invalidity Benefit Scheme (IBS)
- ₹2,00,000 (for permanent disability on or after 16.03.2016) and ₹ 6,00,000 (for permanent disability on or after 29.04.2024 – Disability due to loss of limbs).
- Permanent unfitness due to accidental injury within 24 months off article period w.e.f. 29.4.2024 and (amended to 36 months w.e.f. 27.01.2026)
- Claim to be submitted within 3 years from the date of permanent disability.
3. Maternity Benefit Scheme (MBS)
- Only for Indian female seafarers having sea service through Indian Shipping company or RPS, before 60 months of delivery.
- ₹25,000 per delivery (maximum for 2 deliveries) and (₹ 50,000/- for delivering on or after 27.01.2026).
- Claim to be submitted within 2 years of delivery; delivery after 21.08.2014.
4. Family Benefit Welfare Scheme (FBS)
- ₹50,000 (daughter or son of the seafarer) on completion of Pre-Sea training course from DGS approved Training Institute & obtains CDC & (₹1,00,000/- for completion of course on or after 27.01.2026).
- ₹25,000 (daughter or son of the seafarer) on completion of post-graduation full time 2 years Degree/Diploma course (other than maritime stream) approved by Indian University / AICTE. & (₹ 50,000/- for completion of course on or after 27.01.2026).
- The seafarer should have minimum 6 months sea service after 01.04.2014.
- Application to be submitted within 12 months of course completion.
5. Old Age Benefit Welfare Scheme (OABWS)
- a) ₹50,000 for seafarers holding Indian CDC and on completion of age 65 years on/after 01.01.2019.
- b) ₹ 1,00,000/- for seafarers holding Indian CDC and on completion of age 75 years (on/after 01.01.2026) The seafarer should have minimum 6 months sea service after age 55 (post 01.04.2014) through Indian Shipping company or RPSL (amended to minimum 6 months cumulative sea service after the age of 50 years for seafarer applying to 65 years scheme & w.e.f 1.1.2026 for applying 75 years scheme).
- Indian CDC must be cancelled
6. Death On Board Benefit Scheme (DBBS) (w.e.f. 12.03.2025)
- ₹2,00,000 ex-gratia assistance to the nominee registered for the vessel.
- Any type of death on board or presumed death on board, on/after 12.03.2025.
- Indian CDC holder and Bonafide employment through Indian Shipping Co./RPSL.
- Application to be submitted within 3 months of death/missing.
7. Ex-Gratia Support Benefit Scheme (ESBS)
- ₹10,000/month ex-gratia support paid to the nominee for the maximum for 12 months or till the period of abandonment of the seafarer, whichever is earlier, in respect of stranded/abandoned Bonafide seafarers. (amended to ₹20,000/- per month for families of seafarers abandoned/stranded on or after 01.01.2026).
- Applicable for stranded / abandoned on or after 12.03.2025.
- Assistance is paid after 2 months of being stranded, based on confirmation from Govt. authorities.
- Application to be submitted within 2 months from date of stranded / abandonment.
8. Award to Meritorious Child of Seafarers (AMCS)
- Cash award of Rs. 25,000/- paid for children of the seafarer, who top in full-time degree/PG Degree course from Indian University (non-maritime).
- Application to be submitted within 2 months of university confirmation.
9. Medical & Term Insurance Premium Assistance Scheme
The Committee of Management (COM) has approved financial assistance to Indian seafarers in the form of reimbursement of insurance premiums for Medical Insurance, Critical Illness Cover, and Term Insurance policies taken on or after 01.01.2026, for self and dependent family members.
- Reimbursement: Up to 50% of premium, subject to:
- ₹3,000 – Medical Insurance
- ₹1,000 – Critical Illness Cover
- ₹1,000 – Term Insurance ( Maximum ₹5,000 per seafarer)
- Reimbursement will be made against self-attested premium receipt and policy copy issued by IRDA-approved insurance companies.
- Eligibility includes Indian CDC holders with minimum 6 months cumulative sea service as prescribed.
- Application must be submitted within 60 days before policy lapse.
10. Medical Support Scheme for Critical / Terminal Illness
The COM has approved a one-time financial assistance to seafarers suffering from critical or terminal illnesses as recognized by IRDA, effective from 01.01.2026.
- Assistance amount: ₹2,00,000 (one-time)
- Applicable only to Indian CDC holder seafarers (not family members).
- Minimum 6 months qualifying sea service as prescribed.
- Mandatory medical certificate from a Central/State Government Hospital (not older than 6 months).
- Application to be submitted within 6 months from date of medical certificate.
- Benefit is admissible only once in a lifetime.
11. Indian Certificate of Competency (CoC) Recognition & Career Progression Scheme
To encourage career advancement of rating seafarers, the COM has introduced a new scheme effective from 01.01.2026 for ratings becoming officers after obtaining Indian CoC.
- One-time financial assistance of ₹2,00,000 for obtaining the first Indian CoC (FG/NCV).
- Applicable to rating seafarers passing Indian CoC examinations and promoted as officers.
- Only Indian CoC issued by Directorate General of Shipping will be considered.
- Application to be submitted within 12 months of obtaining CoC.
- Benefit is admissible only once.