India – Six-Month Exemption for Salvage & Marine Pollution Response Requirements

Members and assureds whose vessels trade to India will already be aware of the News Alert on 7 October 2026 advising of the requirements in the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026, for non-Indian vessels operating in or transiting Indian coastal waters to maintain a valid salvage contract and a valid marine pollution response contract with an approved provider.

The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), Mumbai, has today issued DGMA Circular No. 69 of 2026, confirming that they are in the process of approving salvors and marine pollution response providers to be listed. As owners and operators are unable to fully comply with the new contractual requirements until the approved service providers have been formally notified, the DGMA has exercised its powers to grant vessels already operating in, or otherwise permitted entry into, Indian coastal waters an exemption period of six months, until 1 April 2027, to comply with the additional requirements introduced by the 2026 Rules.

By 1 April 2027, owners and operators will be expected to ensure compliance with the revised requirements, including:

• Maintenance of a valid salvage contract with an approved provider;

• Maintenance of a valid marine pollution response contract with an approved provider; and

• Compliance with the revised classification requirements applicable to foreign vessels under the Rules.

The DGMA Circular advises shipowners, managers, operators, shipping agents and port authorities to review their existing arrangements and ensure full compliance by the expiry of the extension period.

Members and assureds intending to trade to India or transit through Indian coastal waters should continue to monitor developments closely, particularly the anticipated publication of the approved lists of salvors and marine pollution response organisations to ensure that they comply with the requirements within the deadline.