**Executive Summary**
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) Order No. 2 of 2023, dated January 25, 2023, announces the re-envisioning of the Anti-Piracy Branch into a Maritime Security Branch (MSB) within the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai. This change aims to address evolving maritime security challenges more effectively. The order establishes the composition of the MSB and outlines its key functions.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Branch Transformation:**
* The Anti-Piracy Branch is being evolved into the Maritime Security Branch (MSB) under the Nautical Wing.
* **Rationale:**
* The change addresses cross-sectoral maritime security challenges, the impact on Indian seafarers and shipping, and the need to strengthen maritime security following events like the Mumbai terror attack in 2008.
* The MSB will improve coordination with intergovernmental organizations, international agencies, and foreign governments to prevent and counter evolving security threats.
* **Maritime Security Branch Composition:**
* Capt. Anish Joseph, Deputy Nautical Adviser-cum-Senior Deputy Director General (Technical)
* Shri Mahesh Yadav, Assistant Director General of Shipping
* Shri P.L. Muthu, Executive Officer
* One LDC/UDC/Data Entry Operator (separate order to follow)
* **Functions of the MSB:**
* Addresses challenges arising from traditional and other issues.
* Specific functions include piracy, hijacking, geopolitical rivalries affecting shipping (e.g., Russia-Ukraine war), illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, and new or non-traditional threats such as organized crime and smuggling.
* Any other function assigned by the Competent Authority.
* **Approval:**
* The order is issued with the approval of the Director General of Shipping and Additional Secretary to the GOI.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) Staff**
* **Impact:** The existing Anti-Piracy Branch personnel will transition to the Maritime Security Branch, potentially with revised roles and responsibilities.
* **Action Required:** Familiarize themselves with the new structure, functions, and priorities of the MSB.
**Stakeholder: Indian Seafarers and Shipping Industry**
* **Impact:** Enhanced maritime security measures will contribute to the safety of Indian seafarers and vessels.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of changes in security protocols and procedures.
**Stakeholder: Government of India (MoPSW)**
* **Impact:** Alignment of the Directorate with the India's Maritime security objectives.
* **Action Required:** Monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the MSB.
**Stakeholder: Major and Non-Major Ports**
* **Impact:** Strengthened collaboration and coordination on matters of maritime security, and impact on security protocols.
* **Action Required:** Adapt security protocols to the updated guidelines and liaison with the Maritime Security Branch.
Key Entities Referenced
Maritime Security Branch (MSB): The newly established branch within the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai, tasked with dealing with maritime security situations including piracy and hijacking.
Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai: The primary subject of the order, responsible for overseeing shipping activities and now housing the Maritime Security Branch.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The government ministry overseeing the Directorate General of Shipping and therefore indirectly related to the policy change.
Anti-Piracy Branch: The branch within the Directorate General of Shipping that is being re-envisioned and renamed to the Maritime Security Branch.
Mumbai: Location of Directorate General of Shipping, and therefore the location of the Maritime Security Branch.
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DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING, MUMBAI
Dated: 25.01.2023
F. No. 22-38/5/2023-PER-DGS
DGS Order No. 2ot2023
Subject: Re-envisioning of Anti-Piracy Branch of the Directorate into Maritime
-
Security Branch (MSB) in the Directorate General of Shipping' Mumbai
reg.
The Anti-Piracy branch of the Directorate was established as the nodal Branch of
the Directorate to deal with potential Maritime Security situations arising out of any
hijacking at sea of merchant vessels with lndian crew, an lnter-Ministerial Group of
OificerJ (;Hi1CO) which was set up by the Government of lndia and an Anti-Piracy
contingency Plan for dealing with piracy and hijacking of merchant ships with lndian
crew.
2. Given the cross-sectoral nature of maritime security challenges, and such events
have the effect on lndian seafarers and shipping, and considering being forward thinking
especially since lndia is continually strengthening the maritime security architecture after
the Mumbai terror attack in 2008, the need has been felt that the current Anti-Piracy
Branch be evolved to'Maritime Security Branch' under the Nautical Wing'
3. Eslablishing of a 'Maritime Security Branch' will help in more effectively
coordination with intergovernmental organizations, international agencies and Foreign
Governments to ensure prevention, deterrence and counter of the multiple security
threats and challenges which is constantly evolving'
4.
Accordingly, the competent Authority has constituted the Maritime Securi$ Branch
in the Directorate General of Shipping comprising of the following officers:
Maritime Securitv Branch:
1. Capt. Anish Joseph, Deputy Nautical Adviser-cum-Senior Deputy Director
General (Technical)
2. Shri Mahesh Yadav, Assistant Director General of Shipping
3. Shri PL. Muthu, Executive Officer
4. One LDC/UDC/Data Entry Operator (Order would be issued separately).
5. Maritime security can be considered to be a combination of growing number of
challenges arising from traditional and other issues. Accordingly the following functions
will be carried out by the Maritime Security Branch such as;
a.
Piracy,
b. Hijacking, 2t-
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fr{/r6l No.: +91-22 -2575 2uu1l2g ik/Fax,: +91-22-2 575 2o29t35 {*o/E."it, ag"hipas@nic.h tE(f{a/websib: wwt /.dgshipping.gov.in-2-
c. Geopolitical rivalries spilling affecting shipping (eg. Russia-Ukraine war),
d. lllegal, unreported and unregulated (lUU) fishing,
New or non{raditional threats such as organized crime, various forms of illicit
activities taking place at sea like smuggling, illegal dumping of waste into sea
f Any other function as assigned by the Competent Authority.
6.
This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping and Add onfl
Secretary to the GOl.
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(Dr. Su ha
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Deputy Director General of Shippi
To,
1. Capt. Anish Joseph, Deputy Nautical Adviser-cum-Senior Deputy Director
General (Technical), MMD Mumbai.
2.
Shri Mahesh Yadav, Assistant Director General of Shipping, D.G. Shipping,
Mumbai
3. Shri PL.Muthu, Executive Officer, D.G. Shipping, Mumbai.
Copv to
1. The Secretary to the Government of lndia, MoPSW, Gol, New Delhi.
2.
Sr.PS to DG (S)/Additional DG(S)/CS
3. Dy.NA, DG Shipping, Mumbai.
4. The Principal Officer, MMD, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Cochin, Kandla
5. All Officers of the DG Shipping and allied & sub-ordinate offices.
6. All Major/Non-major ports.
7.
lPA, New Delhi.
8.
Computer Cell for uploading on DGS Website.