Built before 1982, flying the Panama flag? - India would ban it!

Old ships may be barred from Indian coasts
Will include vessels over 25 years old and FoC ships says paper




India's Economic Times carries a report today claiming that India's Shipping Ministry is considering plans to ban ships over 25 years old from docking at the country's ports.

Also being considered are ships flying Flags of Convenience, such as Panama, says the newspaper.

The sweeping powers of the considered laws will make for uncomfortable reading for many shipowners, as the paper quotes a government official who says that they would not stop at 25 years, but target 20 year old ships later on.

This was because, claimed the official, ships had an average lifespan of 17 years and they considered older ships to be more 'vulnerable'

If the report is true it is quite a draconian way of controlling ships that may be dangerous or unseaworthy. For example in the European Union, ships are banned not simply because they fly a flag from a state that is considered high risk, but if they have been detained previously.

However India is alarmed at the number of groundings and wrecks that occur on the coasts, resulting not only in loss of life and property, but environmental damage such as oil pollution as well.

Meanwhile India's Director General of Shipping has ordered that all offshore vessels over 15 years old are to be inspected within 60 days. This follows the loss of the 25 year old SAMUDRIKA-10 last month.