[Answered] India’s maritime firefighting capabilities are tested by frequent accidents. Analyze the efficacy of existing policy and institutional frameworks, and the need for enhanced regional cooperation to ensure maritime safety and security.

Introduction

India’s vast coastline of over 7,500 km and strategic location near busy maritime chokepoints expose it to frequent maritime accidents involving fires, oil spills, and hazardous cargo. Recent incidents like the fire onboard MV Wan Hai 503 have tested the nation’s firefighting readiness.

Maritime Firefighting in India: Current Capabilities and Institutional Response

1. Institutional Framework: The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), under the Ministry of Defence, is the principal agency for maritime search and rescue (SAR) and firefighting. Its patrol vessels are equipped with external firefighting (Fi-Fi) systems.
   The Indian Navy, Director General Shipping (DGS), and Ports Authorities also play supporting roles.
2. Case Studies Reflecting Capability

• MV Wan Hai 503 (June 2024): Fire involving 140 hazardous cargo containers controlled by coordinated efforts of ICG, Navy, and the vessel’s agents.
• MT New Diamond (2020): Fire on a VLCC carrying 2.7 lakh tonnes of crude oil off Sri Lanka was extinguished by ICG and Navy—demonstrating India’s blue water response strength.

1. National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB): A key coordination platform under the Ministry of Defence ensures unified command among multiple agencies. However, inter-agency drills, rapid response protocols, and data sharing remain limited.

Gaps and Challenges in Policy and Implementation

1. Lack of Hazardous Material Protocols: Over 1,754 containers in MV Wan Hai 503 carried various materials, of which over 140 were hazardous. India lacks centralised cargo tracking and container inspection mechanisms for such ships docking at Indian ports.
2. Slow Salvage and Oil Spill Response: India’s National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP) is operational but reactive, with limited decentralised capability for Tier-II and Tier-III spills. Ports and coastal States are often underprepared, lacking trained personnel and equipment.
3. Human Resource and Technology Constraints: Limited availability of fire-resistant salvage ships, marine drones, and high-speed response boats. Training gaps in handling chemical fires and LNG tanker accidents.

Need for Enhanced Regional Cooperation

1. Strategic Importance of Chokepoints: With increasing traffic at the Strait of Hormuz, Malacca Strait, and Laccadive Sea, coordinated firefighting and salvage response is a necessity. Accidents at chokepoints could halt global energy flows.
2. Multilateral Mechanisms: India is part of IORA, QUAD, and IMO initiatives on maritime safety. However, operational coordination on SAR and firefighting needs strengthening. India could lead a South Asian Maritime Disaster Response Force (SAMDRF) to institutionalise training, joint drills, and technology sharing.
3. Public–Private Collaboration: Engage private shipping and port operators in incident simulation exercises, capacity audits, and hazardous material response plans.

Conclusion

Rising hazards from oil tankers, gas carriers, and hazardous cargo demand a more proactive, technologically advanced, and regionally integrated framework. Future maritime safety lies in synergized policies, institutional agility, and robust regional cooperation to protect coastal economies and ecosystems.