Maritime body sounds alarm on order to retire ‘old’ ships

• The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has issued Order 6/2023, mandating the scrapping of ships older than 20 years, mainly affecting Indian-flagged coastal and near-shore vessels.

• Over 700 Indian-flagged vessels likely to be retired prematurely

• Over 20,000 seafarers may lose jobs

• Estimated impact on 1 lakh livelihoods

• The International Maritime Federation (IMF) has opposed the move

• Called it a threat to India’s maritime ecosystem

• Criticized blanket age limits and strict RPSL penalties as excessive

• Analysis of 1.3 lakh vessels and 3.7 lakh inspections shows:

• Older ships (25+ years) often have better safety records

• Due to rigorous maintenance and survivorship bias

• The International Maritime Federation (IMF) is an industry body representing stakeholders in India’s shipping and maritime sector.

• It primarily advocates for the interests of seafarers, shipowners, and maritime companies operating under the Indian flag.

• The IMF works to ensure fair regulatory practices, promote seafarer welfare, and support growth of Indian maritime trade.

• It actively engages with government bodies like the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) on policy issues such as vessel safety norms, age restrictions, and employment regulations.