See Full Document Text
This draft has been uploaded on the DGS website for public comments for period of two weeks days
till including and up to 31.03.2026.
Comments if any to be sent by email to
anish-dgs@gov.in , ravi.sikarwar@gov.in , madhavpatil.dgs@gov.in,
nautic.lglassit3-dgs@gov.in
DGS CIRCULAR NO. xx OF 2026
File No. 25-63011/20/2026-NT – DGS (Comp. No.:39255) Date: xx.03.2026
Authorised By:
Nautical Advisor to the Subject: Requirements for the Carriage of Plastic Pellets by Sea in
Government of India. Freight Containers – reg.
1. The safety of ships, cargo and protection of the marine environment remain paramount to the
Directorate General of Shipping (DGS). The Directorate is committed to ensuring the highest
standards of maritime safety and environmental protection through effective implementation
of applicable international conventions adopted under the auspices of the International
Maritime Organization (IMO).
2. The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended,
under Chapter VII, contains mandatory provisions governing the carriage of dangerous goods
in packaged form. The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships
(MARPOL 73/78), as amended, establishes mandatory requirements for the prevention of
pollution from ships. Further, MARPOL Annex III contains provisions for the prevention of
pollution by harmful substances carried by sea in packaged form, while MARPOL Annex V
prohibits the discharge of plastics into the marine environment.
3. In this regard, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has issued recommendations
through MEPC.1/Circ.909 concerning the carriage of plastic pellets by sea in freight
containers. The Marine Environment Protection Committee, at its eighty-first session,
approved these recommendations as an initial step to reduce environmental risks associated
with the maritime transport of plastic pellets.
4. Further discussions are ongoing at the IMO Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and
Response (PPR) regarding the introduction of mandatory measures for the carriage of plastic
pellets by sea. These include proposals for amendments to MARPOL Annex III to address
the environmental risks associated with the maritime transport of plastic pellets in freight
containers.
5. Recent incidents along the Indian coastline have highlighted serious concerns regarding
marine pollution caused by the loss of freight containers carrying plastic pellets at sea. In
such incidents, containers carrying plastic pellets were lost overboard and the pellets
subsequently washed ashore along extensive stretches of the Kerala and Tamil Nadu
Page 1 of 3coastline, also affecting neighbouring waters of Sri Lanka, resulting in widespread
contamination of beaches and coastal waters.
6. Recovery of these pellets has proved extremely difficult and requires extensive manual clean-
up operations involving local authorities, government agencies and volunteers. Such
operations are labour-intensive and time-consuming and often cannot fully remove the pellets
from the marine environment.
7. Plastic pellets may further fragment into microplastics, which may be ingested by marine
organisms and enter the marine food chain. This raises serious concerns regarding the long-
term impact on marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems and fisheries-dependent livelihoods.
8. In view of the foregoing and to safeguard the marine environment and coastal ecosystems of
India, the Competent Authority hereby directs the following measures for the carriage of
plastic pellets by sea:
(a) Vessels carrying plastic pellets and calling at Indian ports or transiting
through Indian coastal waters shall ensure that such cargo is stowed under
deck only. Carriage of containers having plastic pellets on deck is
prohibited.
(b) The packaging of plastic pellets shall meet stringent and secure
packaging standards not less than those prescribed under the IMDG Code
for packaged dangerous goods, in order to prevent leakage or loss during
transport.
9. Compliance with the provisions of this Circular shall be verified during Port State Control
inspections and Flag State inspections. Port authorities, shippers, shipping lines, logistics
agents and Multimodal Transport Operators (MTOs) shall ensure strict adherence to the
above requirements. All concerned stakeholders are advised to bring the contents of this
Circular to the notice of their personnel and ensure effective implementation.
10. The provisions of this Circular shall come into force with effect from xx April 2026.
This is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.
Capt. Ravi Singh Sikarwar
Nautical Surveyor-cum- DDG (Tech.)
Copy to:
1.
Page 2 of 3Page 3 of 3