The Indian government is introducing a sustainability indexing system to assess the initial age of ships, moving away from age restrictions alone. This approach is part of a broader strategy to modernize the Indian fleet while adhering to international ship emissions standards.
The initiative falls under revised age standards and sustainability indexing set by the Directorate General of Shipping. While age limits remain largely consistent with the February 2023 treaty, fleet owners can operate older vessels if they meet certain sustainability criteria. For instance, oil tankers and bulk carriers may enter at 20 years and operate until 25, while specific types, such as Dynamic Positioning vessels, can manage a longer operational period.
All ships exempt from age standards must adhere to sustainability indexing by March 31, 2028. This regulation also applies to foreign-flagged vessels operating in India’s exclusive economic zone. Ships exceeding the entry age won’t receive operating licenses, and “Indian controlled tonnage” will be treated as Indian flag vessels.
To calculate a sustainability index, criteria include carbon emissions reduction and compliance with energy efficiency regulations. Ships scoring between 65 and 80 points can seek a one-year extension for improvement. However, ships falling below 65 points cannot extend beyond the compliance date.
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