Archive · 24 Sep 2025
India Mandates Marine Salvage Hubs for Emergency Response
India is creating a plan to quickly help with ship accidents and oil spills.
The government wants salvage companies to set up bases on both the east and west coasts.
These companies need to be ready to assist anywhere in India within two years.
This means they will have boats and equipment ready to go.
All ships going through Indian waters will need an agreement with these salvage companies.
Some companies that do this work already think this is a good idea, and others are unsure.
The goal is to protect the environment and respond quickly when help is needed at sea.
DGS mandates national marine salvage hubs to improve emergency response.
Companies must establish operational bases on both coasts.
Operations must expand nationwide within two years.
Vessels transiting Indian waters must maintain salvage agreements.
Indian or foreign companies in partnership are eligible for empanelment.
- Who
- Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)
- What
- Mandates national marine salvage hubs
- When
- Establish headquarters within six months of empanelment; expand nationwide within two years
- Where
- India's east and west coasts
- Why
- Improve response to marine accidents and oil spills
Industry Perspective
Government Initiative
Commercial Viability
Industry Perspective
If sufficient work existed, commercial salvors would already be operating along the coast.
Government Initiative
The objective is to build a financially viable and operationally sustainable model for emergency response.
- Governing Body
- Directorate General of Shipping (DGS)
- Objective
- Improve national emergency response capacity
- Requirement
- Salvage companies must establish bases on both coasts
- Timeline
- Nationwide operations within two years
- Eligibility
- Indian or foreign companies in partnership
- Mandate
- Vessels to maintain salvage agreements