The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has issued Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) No. 01 of 2026, introducing detailed criteria for the empanelment and retention of salvors under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. This move is aimed at enhancing India’s maritime emergency response framework and ensuring safe, environmentally responsible operations along the country’s extensive coastline and offshore waters.
The newly issued guidelines establish a structured and nationally integrated salvage ecosystem, focusing on key parameters such as operational preparedness, rapid response capability, technical expertise, environmental protection, and adherence to international best practices. By defining clear eligibility and performance standards, DG Shipping seeks to ensure that only capable and reliable salvors are engaged in handling emergencies like shipwrecks, oil spills, and other maritime incidents.
Speaking on the initiative, a senior official from DG Shipping highlighted that “India’s growing maritime traffic and offshore activities necessitate a robust and well-coordinated salvage network. These criteria will not only enhance safety and environmental protection but also align India’s maritime emergency response capabilities with global standards.”
The MSN 01 of 2026 specifies the evaluation framework for initial empanelment and ongoing retention of salvors. Factors such as fleet strength, technical equipment, trained personnel, past operational performance, insurance coverage, and compliance with environmental regulations will be assessed. Salvors meeting the criteria will be recognized as approved service providers for emergency response operations, wreck removal, and pollution mitigation, ensuring a rapid and effective response in the event of maritime incidents.
This initiative comes at a time when India is increasingly emphasizing the safety and sustainability of its coastal and offshore maritime operations, with growing trade volumes, offshore energy projects, and international shipping activity. DG Shipping’s structured empanelment system is expected to bolster coordination among government agencies, private salvors, and international partners, thereby improving response efficiency and mitigating risks to human life, marine biodiversity, and coastal livelihoods.
Industry experts have welcomed the move, noting that the formalization of salvage standards will encourage investments in advanced equipment, training, and technology, while also creating a transparent and accountable framework for disaster management in India’s maritime sector.
With these new guidelines, India aims to establish a resilient maritime emergency ecosystem capable of handling complex salvage operations in line with global safety and environmental benchmarks, reflecting the country’s commitment to safe, secure, and sustainable maritime growth.