Fear of 700 Indian-flagged vessels being retired prematurely

 

The International Maritime Federation (IMF) has said that over 700 Indian-flagged vessels, mostly operating in coastal and near-shore routes, are expected to be retired prematurely due to age-based restrictions being imposed by DG Shipping. They were objecting to DG Shipping’s Order 6/2023 on vessel-age norms and the penalty mechanisms imposed on Recruitment and Placement Services Licence (RPSL) companies. According to IMF officials, as per the DG Shipping Order, 20-year-old ships will be scrapped. 

The blanket ban on the age of the ship and disproportionate RPSL penalties are not just operational hurdles, they are seen as existential threats to India’s maritime ecosystem. The IMF has called for the replacement of age norms with safety and maintenance-based standards, withdrawal or revision of Order 6/2023 pending transparent consultation, introduction of a 3-strike graded penalty system for RPSL firms, and creation of a centralised grievance redressal and appeals mechanism, among others, as per a report.

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