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DG Shipping pushes compliance deadline to 2029 to aid fleet modernisation.

Shipowners Get Three-Year Extension to Meet Vessel Age Norms.

Indian shipowners have received a three-year extension to comply with government-prescribed age norms for existing vessels, with the new deadline set for March 31, 2029, instead of February 2026. The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) said a further extension of up to two years, till March 31, 2031, may be considered, subject to a review based on the forthcoming Sustainability Indexing of Ships. The relaxation applies to vessels already registered under the Indian flag, as well as those under the Indian Controlled Tonnage scheme. The age norms, introduced in February 2023, aim to modernise India’s ageing fleet and promote the acquisition of quality tonnage. They also apply to foreign-flag vessels operating in India’s coastal trade under licences granted under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, to ensure a level playing field for Indian ships. DG Shipping noted that while the global fleet is getting younger, India’s fleet is ageing, underscoring the need for a gradual transition to newer, energy-efficient and low-carbon vessels in line with IMO emission reduction goals.