India’s expanding maritime trade has brought about increased vessel traffic, higher cargo volumes, and elevated navigational risks along its extensive coastline. Despite this growth, the availability of maritime salvage and emergency towing capabilities in Ports around the Indian coast remains limited. Currently, the Directorate General of Shipping in agreement with Mumbai Port Authority and Chennai Port Authority has positioned two Sea- going Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs) one each based at Mumbai and Chennai.

mally such ETVs are deployed as Harbour Tugs throughout the year and performs the day-to-day functions of berthing/unberthing etc. In emergency situations, the Directorate orders deployment of ETVs to the incident site which perform the duties as per the instructions of the On-Scene Commander, Indian Coast Guard. While these vessels serve as critical national resources, their geographic limitations frequently result in delayed responses, particularly in regions beyond their immediate operational range.

view of the challenges and urgent need enumerated above and to meet the requirements of Central/State/District/Port Disaster Management, the Directorate General of Shipping in accordance with the provisions of Part-X (Marine Incident and Emergency Response) of the Merchant Shipping Act 2025 hereby mandates that all Indian ports—whether Major or Nonmajor, Public or Private—handling 10 million metric tonnes (MMT) or more of cargo annually and/or maintaining a fleet of three or more tugs of bollard pull higher than 45MT for port operations shall designate at least one sea-going tug for emergency response. Such a sea-going tug should be certified for at least Indian coastal operation and capable of emergency towing and fire-fighting. It is essential that harbour tugs, which lack the capabilities or specifications similar to the ETV, are expressly prohibited from being tasked with duties expected of an Emergency Towing Vessel.

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