**Executive Summary**
DG Shipping Circular No. 21 of 2024, issued on July 24, 2024, provides guidelines for the deployment of chase and support vessels in Indian waters/EEZ. These guidelines aim to regulate boats, crafts, and vessels involved in offshore projects, ensuring compliance with the Merchant Shipping Act 1958. The circular prohibits the engagement of vessels that do not comply with the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 in the specified areas.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Permitted Vessels:**
* Only MS Class vessels and Indian mechanized sailing vessels (through FAISVIA) are permitted for offshore projects.
* **Advisory Notice:**
* All Indian and foreign project holders and their subsidiaries/agents/sub-contractors must adhere to the guidelines while conducting survey projects.
* **Vessel Usage Restrictions:**
* No boats, crafts, or vessels that do not comply with the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 shall be engaged.
* If Mechanised Sailing Vessel are to be used, a NOC from FAISVIA is required.
* **Prohibition of Fishing Boats:**
* No Indian or foreign project holders can directly or indirectly engage fishing boats/vessels in seismic survey-related projects.
* **Enforcement and Compliance:**
* Violations reported by ICG, Indian Navy, Marine Police, ONGC, or other government agencies will result in immediate detention and license cancellation.
* Foreign flag research vessels are prohibited from operating in Indian waters until all legal processes are completed.
* **Undertaking Requirement:**
* Companies applying for a Specific Purpose License under Sec 406/407 of MS Act must submit an undertaking to adhere to these guidelines.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Indian and Foreign Project Holders/Subsidiaries/Agents/Sub-contractors
* **Impact:** Stricter regulations on the types of vessels that can be used for survey projects in Indian waters/EEZ.
* **Action Required:** Ensure all vessels used comply with the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 and adhere to the new guidelines. If using Mechanised Sailing Vessels as chase boats, obtain NOC from FAISVIA.
**Stakeholder:** FAISVIA (Federation of All India Sailing Vessels Industry Associations)
* **Impact:** Increased responsibility in providing NOCs for Mechanised Sailing Vessels used as chase boats.
* **Action Required:** Establish procedures for issuing NOCs and ensure compliance with guidelines.
**Stakeholder:** Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Indian Navy, Marine Police, ONGC, Other Govt. Agencies
* **Impact:** Responsibility for enforcing the new guidelines and reporting violations.
* **Action Required:** Monitor vessel activity in Indian waters/EEZ and report any non-compliance. Detain any vessels violating the guidelines.
**Stakeholder:** All companies engaged in conducting various projects and applying for Specific Purpose License under Sec 406/407 of MS Act.
* **Impact:** Requirement to submit an undertaking to adhere to guidelines.
* **Action Required:** Undertaking must be submitted as part of the application process.
Key Entities Referenced
Merchant Shipping Act 1958: Indian law governing maritime activities, particularly relevant for regulating vessels in Indian waters and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Indian Waters/EEZ: Geographic area where the guidelines for deployment of chase and support vessels apply.
Directorate General of Shipping: The issuing authority for the circular providing guidelines for the deployment of chase and support vessels.
Indian Coast Guard: Enforcement agency for the guidelines, tasked with reporting violations.
Federation of All India Sailing Vessels Industry Associations (FAISVIA): Industry body that issues NOC for Mechanised Sailing Vessel
F. No. 16-18011/41/2021-SD-DGS (C. No. 14434) Dated: 24.07.2024
DG Shipping Circular No. 21 of 2024
Guidelines for deployment of chase and support vessels in Indian Waters/EEZ
Reference: Meeting at DGS Office on 17/04/2024 and Meeting held on 13/12/2017
1. Background:
Whereas, as per Section 435B of Merchant Shipping Act 1958, as amended
(hereinafter referred to as MS Act) the Indian fishing boats can exclusively be
engaged in sea fishing for profit;
Taking into consideration, the rising concerns of safety & security of navigation,
environment and human-life, it is of vital importance to regulate the boats, crafts,
and vessels that are engaged in offshore projects, inter alia seismic survey projects,
upstream/midstream installation & maintenance projects etc., to ensure compliance
with the MS Act;
2. Decision Summary:
In this regard, the Competent Authority, further to the deliberations made in the
meeting dated 13/12/2017, which was attended by representatives from INSA,
ONGC, Federation of All India Sailing Vessels Industry Associations (FAISVIA),
Indian Coastal Conference-Shipping Association (ICCSA), and other stakeholders;
where it was decided that only MS Class vessels and Indian mechanized sailing
vessels through the Federation of All India Sailing vessels Industry Associations
are permitted to be engaged for such works;
3. Immediate Advisory Notice:
Accordingly, all Indian and foreign project holders and / or their subsidiaries,
agents, or sub-contractors while performing survey projects like installation &
maintenance, exploration & production, transportation and storage projects in
India, in her territorial waters, contiguous zones, continental shelves, exclusive
economic zones and other maritime zones shall adhere to the following guidelines:
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They shall not, directly or indirectly; engage any boats, crafts, vessels,
that do not comply with the requirements of the MS Act. 1958.
.
In case Mechanised Sailing Vessel is used as chase boats, the user shall
obtain NOC from the Federation of All India Sailing Vessels Industry
Associations (FAISVIA).
4. Prohibition on Use of Fishing Boats:
o
Notwithstanding anything contained in the circular, no Indian or foreign project
holders shall directly or indirectly engage any Fishing boat/vessel in their
seismic survey-related projects.
5. Enforcement and Compliance:
o
Any violation of these guidelines reported by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG),
Indian Navy, Marine Police, ONGC or any other Govt. agency will result in
the immediate detention and provisional cancellation of the license issued to the
violating Indian /foreign flag vessel, for enquiry and legal process, if any.
o
Further, such foreign flag research vessels shall r"rot be allowed to operate in
Indian waters, until any legal process is completed.
6. Undertaking: All companies engaged in conducting various projects, while applying
for Specific Purpose License under Sec 4061407 of MS Act, are reqlrired to submit an
undertaking to adhere to this guidelines as necessary.
.
7 This is issued with the approval of the Director General of Shipping, Govt. of India,
and shall come into force, from the date of issue.
Ranjan)
Ship Surveyor-cum-Deputy Director General of Shipping [SD/Techl
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