134th Session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council

India's Major Actions at the 134th IMO Meeting

Request for IMO-Directed Probe into Maritime Events: India emphasized recent incidents that led to container losses and the discharge of dangerous cargo such as;

Sinking of MSC ELSA 3, a container vessel transporting dangerous goods, near the shore of Kochi, Kerala (in May 2025),

Fire and explosion occurred on WAN HAI 503 (in June 2025) off the coast of Kerala.

India urged the International Maritime Organization to:

Carry out thorough inquiries into these occurrences.

Examine worldwide regulations that oversee the transportation of dangerous materials, particularly lithium-ion batteries and additional products categorized under the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code.

Enhance global standards for packaging, labeling, stowage, and oversight of hazardous materials.

India suggested the standardization under the leadership of IMO:

For protocols related to incident response.

To create worldwide best practices and improve the operational safety of container vessels.

India's "Sagar Mein Samman" Initiative: In 2024, the Directorate General of Shipping introduced "Sagar Mein Samman" (Honor at Sea) to highlight India's maritime efforts. Its objective is to;

Encourage a secure and welcoming maritime work environment.

Promote women's involvement at every level—from maritime roles to leadership positions.

India saw a 650% rise in the population of Indian women in maritime roles.

Regulations and Norms

International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL): Launched by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in 1973, it acknowledged the necessity for unified global action to mitigate oil spills.

India has signed the MARPOL Convention.

The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, establishes worldwide minimum standards for the working and living conditions of seafarers. Addresses elements like equal access, safety, and gender diversity aboard ships.

Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: The Act outlines the authority to issue a notice to the owner when the central government believes the vessel does not comply with the established regulations.

Future Directions for IMO-Level Structural Reforms: Improve cargo safety compliance systems.

Create a body dedicated to investigating international maritime incidents.

Technological Integration: Transparency in declarations and cargo tracking through blockchain and AI.

Training and Capacity Building: Assisting developing nations in putting the IMDG Code's guidelines into practice.

Increasing Women's Involvement: Internationally replicate India's efforts to advance gender inclusion in the maritime industry.