Sri Vijaya Puram, June 2: Cargo vessel operators and shipping stakeholders in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands will have to comply with a series of enhanced safety requirements during the monsoon season following fresh clarifications issued by the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Mumbai.
The advisory, circulated through the Directorate of Shipping Services, reiterates the provisions of DGS Circular No. 58 of 2025 and provides detailed guidance on the safe operation of general cargo vessels operating between mainland India and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as well as on inter-island routes during periods of rough weather.
The clarification comes as maritime authorities prepare for the southwest monsoon season, a period often associated with challenging sea conditions, high winds and rough waters. The measures are aimed at reducing navigational risks and strengthening vessel safety standards in one of India’s most geographically dispersed maritime regions.
Among the key requirements is the mandatory conduct of monsoon-fitness inspections for applicable vessels. Authorities have clarified that where annual or renewal surveys are completed between January and April, monsoon-related inspections may be conducted simultaneously through the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). In other cases, separate pre-monsoon inspections may be required one to two months before the onset of the monsoon season.
The DG Shipping has also clarified that vessels carrying the class notation “certified to carry containers” are exempt from the applicability of the circular, as the regulations are specifically intended for general cargo vessels.
Another significant provision concerns weather-based sailing permissions. Maritime authorities have stated that permission for monsoon-season operations will remain conditional upon prevailing weather forecasts. Before departure, both the port authority and vessel master must independently assess whether weather conditions are suitable for safe navigation.
As part of the guidance, wind speeds below 20 knots and wave heights below two metres have been identified as indicative thresholds for safe sailing decisions. Officials emphasized that voyage approvals will be linked to local weather assessments rather than fixed schedules, allowing authorities to respond dynamically to changing sea conditions.
The advisory also addresses vessels engaged in short-duration inter-island voyages carrying construction materials such as stone, bagged sand and other general cargo. Such operations may be permitted subject to strict compliance with approved cargo stowage practices, scrutiny of loading plans and due diligence by vessel owners and operators.
To strengthen accountability, vessel-specific loading plans must now be prepared and verified. Where available, third-party surveyors will examine the loading arrangements. In situations where independent surveyors are unavailable, the loading plans, stability particulars and operating conditions must be vetted by the Indian Register of Shipping, the Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) and the Harbour Master.
The circular further mandates verification of load line compliance and actual loading conditions at the port of departure. Harbour authorities and vessel masters will be required to maintain records, including photographic evidence of hatch conditions before and after loading, along with certified loading details. Copies of departure-condition records must also be submitted to the Mercantile Marine Department.
Additionally, stakeholders will be required to furnish a voyage-specific compliance checklist in the format prescribed by MMD Kolkata before each sailing.
The latest clarifications reflect growing emphasis on maritime safety following concerns over vessel stability, cargo handling and weather-related risks in coastal and island waters. Given the Islands’ dependence on sea transport for the movement of goods and essential supplies, authorities view strict adherence to safety protocols as critical to ensuring uninterrupted and secure maritime operations during the monsoon season.
Shipping officials have urged vessel owners, operators, masters and port authorities to fully comply with the revised requirements to safeguard lives, cargo and maritime infrastructure during adverse weather conditions.
