The Union Government’s plan to set up a National Maritime Authority, in tune with the global trend, is an important initiative that can provide a much needed shot in the arm to improve the slack maritime administration.

The shape and structure of the authority is yet to be spelt out, but the indication is that it will be on the lines of the proposed Civil Aviation Authority — a centralised agency overseeing the activities of the sector. This means the proposed authority will replace the Directorate General of Shipping, a department under the Shipping Ministry, which handles maritime administration under the existing regime.

The move would put India on the same page as the United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union and Australia that follow the model of independent maritime authorities.

Doubtlessly, the shift makes sense. For instance, the sector is governed by world regulations, mainly adopted by agencies such as International Maritime Organisation. Ship owners and others engaged in sea trade have to comply with these rules, and it is the responsibility of a country’s maritime administration to ensure these are implemented effectively. As more than 90 per cent of India’s trade by volume and 70 per cent trade by value moves by sea, maritime transport is crucial. It also underscores that India needs a stronger maritime administration.

For the proposed authority to handle these challenges effectively, it would need to ensure: Functional and financial autonomy, and the size and quality of human and technical expertise. While the autonomy requirement can be enshrined in the authority’s constitution, the more important factor that can make the difference depends on the skill set. It is known that the weakness of India’s maritime administration has more to do with shortage of experienced men to take up statutory surveys of ships and similar tasks.

Weakness of DG Shipping

The role of a maritime administration comes under three categories. In technical terms, these are called flag state, port state and costal state controls. The first deals with registration of ships flying the country’s flag, the second covers mainly inspection of foreign ships calling at the country’s coast and the third is basic facilitation services including pollution control, navigational warning and search and rescue operations. The DG Shipping handles all the three responsibilities. However, it is not adequately equipped to carry out its duties.

Although there has been improvement in the working of DG Shipping since two years, the administration is still fraught with legacy issues. The department is often headed by people without any exposure to the maritime sector.

By the time an incumbent gains some knowledge the person is transferred or retired. As a result, even efficient officers are unable to improve the system. There is a perennial shortage of technical hands due to conservative recruitment practice. This forces the directorate to outsource crucial statutory functions to classifications societies such as Indian Register of Shipping. This large scale outsourcing has raised concerns among ship owners and other stakeholders. It is clear that skill shortage is the bane of the maritime administration. There is no guarantee that the proposed authority would not a face similar situation. So, New Delhi needs to first ensure that the authority is manned by people with sufficient experience.

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