Technical Circular No: 009/2026
1. The Indian Maritime Administration has issued DGS Circular 58 of 2025, dated 15.12.2025 providing instructions on Safe Voyage Planning for General Cargo ships over 20 years of age and operating between Mainland and Andaman & Nicobar (A&N) islands and within the A&N islands in Monsoon and Rough Weather Conditions.
2. All General Cargo Ships over 20 years of age operating in this corridor must comply with below mentioned stringent safety protocols during the foul weather season (1st May to 30th November) and any period of forecasted rough weather/cyclones:
a. Prohibition on Carriage of Certain Cargoes
No vessel within the scope of DGS Circular 58 of 2025 to carry bulk cargo such as sand, gravel, cement, or any other free-flowing material during the foul weather season or at any time that adverse weather is forecasted by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). However, General Cargo Ships to meet the requirements of IMSBC Code if such vessels will be involved in carriage of such bulk cargoes during the foul weather season.
b. Cargo Securing and Lashing
All the securing is to be done in accordance with the duly approved Cargo Securing Manual of the vessel. Loose or unpackaged cargo loaded on deck and inside the cargo hold are to be properly secured using approved and tested lashing systems.
c. Compliance with Seasonal Load Line Regulations
Vessels falling under the purview to strictly adhere to the seasonal load line regulations as prescribed under the Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Rules. The maximum permissible load line during the foul weather season is not to be exceeded under any circumstances. The total weight of all cargo loaded on board is to be determined using standard draft survey and independently verified by an independent third-party cargo surveyor authorized or recognized by the Directorate/MMDs. The surveyor’s certificate verifying cargo weight and quantity is to be kept on board and a copy retained at the company’s office, both available for inspection by Port and MMD officials.
d. General Stowage Plan and Surveyor Certification
Prior to commencement of each voyage, the vessel to prepare a General Stowage Plan detailing the nature, weight, and stowage position of all cargo—both in hold and on deck. The stowage plan and actual loading and stowage of cargo is to be physically verified and certified by an independent third-party cargo surveyor recognized by the Directorate and must include photographic evidence of the cargo securing arrangements. A final cargo securing and stowage report is to be submitted to the respective Mercantile Marine Department (MMD) prior to the vessel’s departure for information and record.
e. Pre-departure Inspection and Reporting
Port authorities and pilots/harbor masters involved in the vessel’s departure to verify the drafts and assess the prevailing weather conditions at the time of voyage commencement. If any anomaly is observed, including suspected overloading, signs of hull weakness, failure of bilge systems, improper lashings, or non-compliance with weather advisories, the matter must be immediately reported to the Directorate General of Shipping and the local MMD. In such cases, the voyage to not commence until all deficiencies are rectified and duly verified by the Recognized Organization approved by the jurisdictional MMD.
f. Weather Forecast Compliance
No vessel is to be permitted to depart if the latest weather forecast issued by the IMD, obtained within six hours prior to the scheduled departure, indicates the likelihood of adverse or rough weather conditions1, including but not limited to: wind speeds exceeding 25 knots, sea state of 6 or higher on the Beaufort Scale or issuance of any gale, or cyclone warning for the intended route. If such a forecast or warning is issued before the vessel departs, the voyage must be delayed or suspended until the conditions subside and a revised clearance is obtained. Any voyage commenced in defiance of this requirement is deemed to be non-compliant.
Further, in accordance with the IMO’s MSC.1/Circ.1228 “Revised Guidance to the Master for Avoiding Dangerous Situations in Adverse Weather and Sea Conditions”, voyages shall not commence if conditions are expected that may lead to parametric rolling, synchronous rolling, or excessive slamming—particularly in quartering or following seas—or if the vessel’s course and speed cannot be safely maintained to avoid dangerous dynamic responses.
g. Annual Monsoon Fitness Survey
Each vessel falling under the purview of this advisory to undergo an additional fitness survey prior to the start of the foul weather season. The survey conducted must include, but not limited to, inspection of the hull, rudder, decks, bilge systems, watertight doors, and assessment of the vessel’s stability profile. The inspection to also involve thickness gauging of suspect areas, corrosion checks, and testing of structural integrity, as applicable. General cargo ships are to be allowed to operate during the monsoon period only upon successful completion of this additional survey.
If the vessel is due for Annual Survey/Renewal Survey within the four-month preceding the monsoon (Jan to April), then monsoon fitness survey can be completed along-with annual/renewal surveys.
h. Operational Readiness and Emergency Preparedness
Shipowners are advised to implement enhanced precautions during the foul weather season, including but not limited to ensuring that emergency pumps and bilge systems are functional; maintaining continuous navigational watch; monitoring the condition of lashings voyage; and ensuring that communication systems are always operational for receiving weather updates and transmitting distress signals. Any occurrence of cargo movement or vessel list is to be promptly acted upon and reported to the nearest port and MMD.
i. Submission of Monsoon Season Compliance Checklist
Before commencement of each voyage, the vessel is required to submit a foul weather season Compliance Checklist to the administration. Port and maritime authorities have been authorized by the Administration to board and inspect vessels for verification of the checklist and all supporting records.
3. Owners/Managers of general cargo ships over 20 years of age, operating between the mainland and the A&N Islands and within the A&N islands in Monsoon and Rough Weather Conditions are advised to be guided by above and ensure compliance.
Enclosure:
This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.