DGS Nautical / Engineering Wing - Guidelines for Grant of Approvals for Conduct of Sea Trials of Newly Constructed/ Modified/ Repaired Vessels in Indian waters

DGS Nautical / Engineering Wing Circular No. 47 of 2025 File No. : 13-44012/3/2025-ENGG - DGS (C-35925) Date: 24-10-2025 Subject : Guidelines for Grant of Approvals for Conduct of Sea Trials of Newly Constructed/ Modified/ Repaired Vessels in Indian waters. 1. Background A number of Indian shipyards are presently undertaking new ship construction projects. For the purpose of obtaining statutory certification, it is essential that such vessels undergo sea trials to demonstrate satisfactory performance of machinery, equipment, and safety systems prior to final certification. In order to streamline and expedite the process, and in anticipation of a spurt in shipbuilding/ship repair activities in the country, it has been decided to delegate powers for granting approvals for sea trials of newly constructed vessels to the Principal Officers of Jurisdictional Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs), subject to the following guidelines. 2. Applicability This Circular shall apply to all vessels being built/modified/repaired in India by registered shipyards, where sea trials are required to be carried out prior to the issuance/reinstatement of statutory certificates. These permissions shall not be construed as voyage permissions under the Merchant Shipping Act but shall be limited only for sea trial purposes. 3. Authority a) The Principal Officer of the jurisdictional MMD shall be empowered to grant permissions for conduct of sea trials within his jurisdiction, subject to compliance with this Circular. b) Where the vessel is intended to undergo trials outside the jurisdiction of the concerned MMD, the matter shall be referred to the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, for approval. 4. Documents Required Shipyards seeking permission for sea trials shall submit the following documents to the concerned MMD: DGS NT Engineering Wing Circular No. 47 of 2025 Page 1 of 5a) Application Letter from the shipyard specifying the vessel particulars, proposed passage plan to the location (Coordinates) of area of sea trials and proposed schedule of sea trials. b) Provisional Survey Reports from the Flag State or Recognised Organization (RO) acting on its behalf confirming completion of dock trials, safety equipment checks, and readiness of the vessel for sea trials. c) Insurance Certificate/Undertaking covering all third party liabilities including wreck removal, oil/bunker pollution during sea trials. d) Crew List & Competency Certificates of personnel manning the vessel during the sea trials, duly certified by the shipyard/master. e) Number of other support personnel, technicians, observers etc. expected to be on board during the sea trials. f)Details and number of Lifesaving appliances on board. g) Details and means of communication with shore facilities. h) Safety Risk Assessment/Sea Trial Plan outlining emergency preparedness and safety measures. i) Details of any other vessels involved in supporting/ancillary roles during the sea trials. j) Details of Pilotage arrangements if applicable. k) Provisional Registration/Identification of the vessel as allotted under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (as applicable). 5. Conditions for Approval a) The sea trials shall be conducted strictly in accordance with the approved plan and within designated trial areas as specified by the MMD. b) Only qualified and certified officers/crew and essential qualified personnel for survey, monitoring and analysis of the sea trial shall be permitted on board during the trials. c) The shipyard shall remain responsible for all liabilities, risks, and safety compliance during the conduct of sea trials. d) Sea trials shall only be undertaken under satisfactory weather and sea conditions, in daylight hours away from designated sea lanes/ traffic separation areas as confirmed by the Principal Officer or attending surveyor, to ensure safety of the vessel, personnel, and environment. e) A detailed Sea Trial Report shall be submitted to the concerned MMD within 7 days of completion of the trials. 6. Inspection and Certification Requirements a) If considered necessary, the Principal Officer may direct a physical inspection of the vessel prior to or during sea trials by a Government (MMD) Surveyor. b) A Provisional Survey Certificate may be issued either by the Flag State or by a Recognised Organization (RO) duly approved by the Flag State. c) However, where the Recognised Organization is not authorised by the Government of India, inspection and clearance by an MMD Surveyor shall be mandatory prior to sea trials. DGS NT Engineering Wing Circular No. 47 of 2025 Page 2 of 57. Validity of Permission The permission granted shall be valid only for the duration and area of the approved sea trials and shall not be construed as a permit for commercial operation or regular voyages. 8. Implementation a) This Circular shall come into force with immediate effect. Principal Officers of all MMDs are directed to strictly adhere to the above guidelines while granting approvals for sea trials. b) A Checklist for Permission to conduct Sea Trials to be submitted to the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) as per this DGS NT/Engineering Wing Circular, 2025 in a company letterhead along with supporting documents is provided as Annexure-1. This is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority. (Aniruddha Chaki) Dy. Chief Surveyor-cum-Sr. DDG(Tech.) To, 1. The Principal Officer/ Mercantile Marine Department, Mumbai/Kolkata/ Chennai/ Kandla/Kochi. 2. The Surveyor-in-charge, Mercantile Marine Department, Goa/Jamnagar/Port Blair /Visakhapatnam /Tuticorin /Noida /Haldia/ Paradip /Mangalore. 3. All Recognised Organizations. 4. Indian National Ship-owners’ Association (INSA), Mumbai. 5. ICCSA 6. Shipyards Association of India 7. All Registered Shipyards 8. CS/NA (I/C)/CSS (I/C) 9. Hindi Cell with request to provide Hindi translation. 10. Computer Cell with request to upload on DGS website DGS NT Engineering Wing Circular No. 47 of 2025 Page 3 of 5Annexure-1 CHECKLIST FOR PERMISSION TO CONDUCT SEA TRIALS (To be submitted in a company letterhead with supporting documents to the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) as per DGS NT/Engineering Wing Circular, 2025) Section 1. Applicant Details Name of Shipyard / Company Address Authorized Signatory (Name & Designation) Contact Details (Phone / Email) Date of Application Section 2. Vessel Particulars Vessel Name Provisional Registration / Identification No. IMO Number (if applicable) Type of Vessel Gross Tonnage Main Propulsion Details Shipyard and Build / Repair Location Section 3. Proposed Sea Trial Details Proposed Dates of Sea Trial Trial Area Description & Chart Reference Coordinates of Trial Area Limits Passage Plan from Berth to Trial Area to be Enclosed Requirements for Life Saving Appliances for additional persons during sea trials. Section 4. Enclosures (Mandatory) Covering letter with vessel particulars, trial schedule, passage plan Brief specification of the vessel General Arrangement Plan Builder Certificate Class Approved LSA / FFA Plan LSA arrangements for additional personnel onboard during sea trial with Inventory and capacity of life-saving appliances on board Provisional Survey certificate/Fitness certificate from Class/Flag as applicable for undertaking sea trial Crew list with competency certificates for all persons manning the vessel Certificate of insurance / undertaking covering all the liabilities during trials Breakup of additional personnel attending the sea trial outside manning requirement Indemnity Letter from Shipyard DGS NT Engineering Wing Circular No. 47 of 2025 Page 4 of 5Shipyard declaration on coordinates for conducting sea trials with chart copy Details of support / escort vessel assigned for assistance during sea trials List of additional support personnel / technicians with IDs and roles Means of communication with shore and emergency contacts Sea trial plan and safety risk assessment including emergency preparedness Pilotage arrangements (if applicable) Bharatkosh payment receipt Section 5. Safety Assurance and declaration by the Applicant in a letterhead. Undertaking from shipyard stating that the trials will be conducted only in daylight and fair and settled weather conditions (max. 20 knots wind speed / 2.0 m wave height) Qualified officers and crew will be onboard along with essential technical personnel. All the additional personnel should have completed basic safety training. Shipyard accepts full liability for risks and safety compliance during trials LSA & FFA equipment as per approved plan and in readiness Pollution prevention and oil spill response measures in place Declaration: I hereby certify that all information provided is true and correct. I confirm that all enclosures are attached and that the sea trial will be conducted in compliance with statutory and safety requirements. I understand that permission granted is only for the purpose of trials. Signature of Authorized Signatory Name & Designation Date Seal / Stamp of Shipyard / Company Note: Sea trial should be avoided in heavy traffic area and fishing zones. DGS NT Engineering Wing Circular No. 47 of 2025 Page 5 of 5