The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), Mumbai, has granted temporary relief to shipowners and operators from the immediate compliance requirement for maintaining salvage and marine pollution response contracts under the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026.
Through DGMA Circular No. 69 of 2026, dated October 14, the administration has acknowledged the need for a sufficient transition period, as the process of empanelling approved salvors and marine pollution response operators is still underway.
The Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026, notified by the Government of India on September 16, 2026, supersede the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Ports, Anchorages and Offshore Facilities) Rules, 2012.
Mandatory contracts under the 2026 Rules
Under Rule 6 of the new rules, every ship other than an Indian ship that enters, remains in or sails out of an Indian port, seeks port facilities, transits or operates in Indian coastal waters must maintain a valid Salvage Contract and Marine Pollution Response Contract with an entity approved under the Act.
The requirement is intended to ensure that appropriate salvage assistance and marine pollution response support are available in the event of a maritime casualty, pollution incident or other emergency.
However, DGMA has initiated the process of empanelling salvors and marine pollution response operators in accordance with the checklists specified under the Merchant Shipping (Wreck and Salvage) Rules, 2026. The administration stated that the rules governing these operators would be notified shortly, after which the finalisation of their empanelment would take additional time.
Consequently, immediate compliance with the contract requirements under Clause 6(1)(c) of the 2026 Rules cannot yet be achieved through the approved operators who have been notified, necessitating a sufficient window for shipowners and operators to enter into the required contracts.
Other key requirements remain applicable
The circular also outlines other important provisions of the 2026 Rules:
- Scope: The rules apply to all Indian ships and every ship other than an Indian ship operating in or navigating through Indian coastal waters, irrespective of whether it enters an Indian port, anchorage or offshore facility.
- Classification certification: Non-Indian ships whose age exceeds the threshold prescribed under Rule 5 must hold a valid class certificate issued by a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) or a Recognised Organisation.
- Safety and emergency preparedness: The salvage and marine pollution response contract requirements are designed to ensure the availability of emergency assistance and pollution response capabilities.
The circular does not specify a definitive duration for the temporary relief in the text available on page one. Shipowners, shipping companies, agents and other affected stakeholders should refer to the complete circular and subsequent DGMA notifications for the applicable compliance timeline and further instructions.
Source: DGMA Circular No. 69 of 2026, dated October 14, 2026.