The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has directed all major ports and other port authorities across India to submit details of abandoned, detained, arrested, immobilised, disabled and other non-operational vessels within their respective jurisdictions.
In a circular issued on Tuesday, the maritime regulator said the move aims to establish a consolidated national record of vessels that could pose risks to human safety, safe navigation, port operations, port infrastructure, security and the marine environment.
The directive covers vessels located within port limits, berths, anchorages and port approaches. It includes abandoned or suspected abandoned vessels; ships detained by Port State Control or other statutory authorities; vessels arrested or restrained under court orders or legal proceedings; and vessels that are immobilised, disabled, laid-up, stranded, grounded, drifting, unmanned or otherwise unable to operate.
The DGMA has also asked port authorities to report any other vessels whose condition, location or circumstances could potentially affect maritime safety, port security or environmental protection.
According to the circular, all concerned authorities must submit the required information in the prescribed format under Annexure-I within 15 days from the date of issuance of the circular.
The exercise is aimed at improving regulatory oversight and maintaining a comprehensive database of vessels that may require monitoring or intervention to safeguard port operations, navigation and the marine environment.