India mandates national marine salvage hubs to strengthen emergency response

Indian companies or foreign companies in partnership with Indian firms would be eligible for empanelment, and preference would be given to those with experience in Indian waters
| Photo Credit:
–

Marine salvage companies will need to establish operational bases on both the east and west coasts and expand their presence nationwide within two years, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has stated in a draft proposal aimed at developing self-sustaining salvage hubs in India.

This is part of DGS’s plan to improve national preparedness and shorten response times in dealing with marine accidents, shipwrecks, and oil spills.

On Tuesday, the maritime sector regulator released a draft of criteria for empanelment and retention of salvors. “The objective is to build a national salvage ecosystem with enhanced capacity for emergency response, towing, firefighting, salvage operations, and oil spill response. The framework envisions a financially viable and operationally sustainable model, whereby assets and resources are strategically positioned to enable deployment within twelve hours of an incident being reported,” DGS said.

Mandatory empanelment for vessels

“Under the proposed salvage framework, all vessels calling at Indian ports or transiting through Indian waters will be required to maintain a standing arrangement with a salvage entity empanelled under the Merchant Shipping Act,” it added.

Indian companies or foreign companies in partnership with Indian firms would be eligible for empanelment, and preference would be given to those with experience in Indian waters.

According to the draft proposal, companies will have to establish a centralised headquarters with a warehouse and operational bases on both the east and west coasts within six months of empanelment, and expand operations nationwide within two years.

The government proposal has evoked mixed reactions. 

“We believe that the most effective way to ensure timely and professional salvage response is through pre-arranged contracts with shipowners. These agreements allow for immediate mobilisation in the event of an incident, minimising environmental and economic impact. If these regulations proceed, Resolve Marine will be ready and willing to adhere to the requirements,” said Joseph Farrell III, CEO of Resolve Marine, a global marine salvage firm.

Long-term investment

Resolve Marine has made a long-term investment in India, establishing a fully operational facility with a warehouse, office, and a dedicated team of professionals over 11 years ago, he added.

A senior executive of another large salvage company said it will be interesting to see how ship owners react to the DGS proposal, as they are required to maintain agreements with salvage companies while operating in India.

“If the volume of work existed there would be commercial salvors along the Indian coast already and clearly they are not,” he pointed out.

Published on September 24, 2025