The Directorate General of Shipping is an attached office of the Ministry of Shipping, Govt. of India and deals with all executive matters, relating to merchant shipping.
In 1947, the Government of India announced the National Policy on Shipping, aiming at the total development of the industry. In order to accelerate the developmental efforts, the necessity for a centralized Administrative organization was felt and accordingly, it was in September 1949, the Directorate General of Shipping with its Headquarters at Bombay was established.
This Directorate deals with all matters concerning the Maritime Administration, Maritime Education and Training, development of Shipping Industry and other related subjects.
The initial objectives of the Directorate General of Shipping were :
- Matters affecting Merchant Shipping & navigation and administration of the Merchant Shipping Law;
- Measures to ensure safety of life and ships at sea;
- Development of Indian Shipping;
- International Conventions relating to Maritime matters;
- Provision of facilities for training of Officers and ratings for Merchant Navy;
Regulation of Employment of Seamen and there welfare
- Development of Sailing Vessel Industry and
- Regulation of Ocean fright rates in overseas trades.
The Directorate deals with implementation of shipping policy and legislation so as to ensure the safety of life and ships at sea, prevention of marine pollution, promotion of maritime education and training in co-ordination with the International Maritime Organisation, regulation of employment and welfare of seamen, development of coastal shipping, augmentation of shipping tonnage, examination and certification of Merchant Navy Officers, Supervision and Control of the allied departments and officer under its administrative jurisdiction.
Functions:
To conduct a highly effective, efficient, responsible and progressive maritime administration
To provide an effective supervisory and regulatory regime conducive to
- achieve ,safe, efficient and secure shipping,
- protect the marine environment,
- all round growth of maritime university;
and
- Provide support to the Government of India in developing and implementing a holistic and integrated maritime development program that has a positive impact on national economy;
- Develop and Implement policies that facilitate an environment which is conducive for promoting an investment in the expansion of a modern merchant fleet under the Indian flag and develop globally competitive ship building and repair facilities;
- Develop and sustain a high quality human resource management catering to the needs of global including national maritime industry for competent seafarers
- Ensure good governance by adhering to the highest standards of integrity, quality and efficiency in delivery of shipping services through constant innovation ,technology upgradation and value addition
- Develop measures to ensure compliance of relevant international instruments relating to safety and security of ships, protection of environment and welfare of seafarers.
Ministry of Shipping (Shipping Wing)
Ministry of Shipping was formed in 2009 by bifurcating the erstwhile Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways into two independent Ministries.
Maritime Transport is a critical infrastructure for the economic development of a country. It influences the pace, structure and pattern of development. The Ministry of Shipping encompasses within its fold shipping and port sectors which also include shipbuilding and ship repair, major ports, inland water transport, Directorate General of Shipping, Indian Maritime University and Legislative Initiatives.
The Ministry has been entrusted with the responsibility to formulate policies and programmes on these sectors and their implementation.
Indian Shipping Industry has over the years played a crucial role in the transport sector of India’s economy. Approximately 95% of the country’s trade by volume and 68% by value is moved through Maritime Transport. Therefore, shipping and ocean resources, ship design and construction, ports and harbours, issues relating to human resources development, finance, ancillaries and new technologies need to be developed in the light of the emerging scenario. Shipping continues to remain unchallenged as the world’s most efficient means of transportation and we need to do all we can to recognize, reward and promote quality within the industry. The Shipping Wing comprises following divisions:-
- Ship-building & Ship Repair (SBR Section)
- Directorate General of Shipping (Maritime Administration) (MA Section)
- Directorate General of Shipping (Maritime) Legislative Initiatives & Policy (MG Section)
- Indian Maritime University (MT Section)
INDIAN MARITIME UNIVERSITY
The Indian Maritime University came into being through an Act of Parliament (Act 22) on 14th November 2008 as a Central University and is poised to play a key role in the development of trained human resource for the maritime sector. 14th November is celebrated as 'IMU Day' every year.
Role of the University
- IMU is in the category of Professional University intended for fulfilling the requirements of the Maritime Sector. Ability to establish and develop a critical mass of activities in the maritime sector is the primary advantage of the IMU system.
- The structure and content of the programmes leading to different levels of qualification of the personnel engaged in the maritime sector can be uniquely addressed by the IMU unconstrained by the limitations of the general purpose universities.