Context :
- DG Shipping Order 6/2023 mandates the retirement of ships over 20 years old.
- International Maritime Federation (IMF) warns that this could lead to:
- Premature scrapping of 700+ Indian-flagged vessels.
- Loss of 20,000+ seafaring jobs.
- Indirect livelihood impact on over 1 lakh people.
Relevance : GS 2(Governance ),GS 3(Infrastructure ,Transport)
Key Concerns Raised by IMF
- Blanket age-based ban lacks flexibility and ignores actual vessel condition.
- Disproportionate penalties imposed on Recruitment and Placement Services Licence (RPSL) companies add to the burden.
- IMF terms these measures as existential threats to India’s maritime ecosystem.
Global Context & Contradictions
- Global data from over 1.3 lakh vessels and 3.7 lakh safety inspections suggest:
- Older ships (25+ years) often show better safety records than newer ones.
- Attributed to:
- Rigorous maintenance routines.
- Survivorship bias — only robust, well-maintained older ships remain in service.
Implications for India
- Coastal shipping and blue economy ambitions could suffer due to reduced fleet size.
- Threatens India’s goal to expand domestic shipping capacity and reduce dependency on foreign vessels.
- Could disincentivise private investment in Indian-flagged ships.
Policy Suggestions
- Adopt a condition-based approach rather than fixed age limits.
- Ensure proportionality in penalties for RPSL companies.
- Align domestic norms with international maritime practices and safety standards.
