We have been advised that India’s Director General of Shipping has issued revised guidelines concerning the chartering of oil and product tankers.

The revision states that as of the 1st April 2004 all Indian and foreign flagged crude and product tankers should comply with certain criteria to be allowed entry into India’s ports, offshore installations and anchorage areas. Tankers with segregated ballast tanks in protected locations must be under 25 years old and classed with either the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) or a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS). Moreover, all oil tankers above 20 years old must have at least CAP-2 rating for hull, machinery and cargo equipment, again from either IRS or an IACS member.

In the revised notice there will be no restrictions on chemical or gas carriers.

This revision has superseded earlier guidelines that were to come into force by 1st September 2003.

We advise Members to make their chartering departments aware of these guidelines.

Source of information: Loss Prevention Department


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