Old ships may be banned from Indian waters

A local industry report claims that India’s Shipping Ministry is considering plans to ban ships over 25 years old from docking at the country’s ports. Also being considered are ships flying flags of convenience, such as Panama.

The sweeping powers of the laws under consideration will make for uncomfortable reading for many shipowners particularly since a government official is quoted to have said that they would not stop at 25 years, but target 20 year old ships later on.

If the report is true it is quite a draconian way of controlling ships that may be dangerous or unseaworthy. For example in the EU, ships are banned not on the grounds that they fly a flag from a state that is considered high risk, but if they have been detained previously. India, however, is alarmed at the number of groundings and wrecks that occur on its coasts, resulting not only in loss of life and property, but also environmental damage such as oil pollution.

Meanwhile, India’s Director General of Shipping has ordered that all offshore vessels over 15 years old are to be inspected within 60 days. This follows the loss of the 25 year old Samudraki-10 last month.