Page 5 - Maritime Security

Defence ministry seals deal to procure six patrol vessels for Coast Guard

The defence ministry on Wednesday signed a Rs 1,614 crore contract with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Ltd for procurement of six next generation offshore patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard. The acquisition of the platforms is aimed at boosting the Coast Guard's capability towards maritime security, the defence ministry said. "The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Mazagon Dockyard Shipbuilders Ltd on December 20 for the procurement of six next generation offshore patrol vessels for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG)," the ministry said. It said the contract was made under the buy (Indian-IDDM) category at a total cost of Rs 1614.89 crore. Out of the six vessels being procured, four would replace the existing aging offshore patrol vessels and the other two would augment the Coast Guard's fleet. "The acquisition of these major ICG platforms is aimed to boost the ICG's capability and reinforces the increased focus of the Government towards maritime security," the ministry s

'Might is Right' has no place in maritime order: Rajnath takes dig at China

The approach of 'might is right' has no place in maritime order and fair rules of engagement are crucial for collaboration and ensuring that no country dominates others in a hegemonic manner, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday against the backdrop of China's muscle-flexing in the Indo-Pacific region. In an address at the Goa Maritime conclave, he said "narrow immediate" interests may tempt nations to flout or disregard the well-established international law, but doing so would lead to the breakdown of civilised maritime relations. Singh emphasised that common maritime priorities need to be addressed cooperatively by avoiding "selfish interests" that make the region less secure and less prosperous, adding that "adherence to international laws and agreements must be our lodestar." The defence minister, delving into challenges in the Indian Ocean region as well as in the Indo-Pacific, underlined the importance of respecting the international maritime laws as enunciated in th

India needs to overcome challenges to become a maritime power: Prez Murmu

India needs to overcome several challenges, including addressing infrastructural and operational challenges of the country's ports, before it can fully exploit the maritime potential, President Droupadi Murmu said on Friday. Though the conservative apprehensions about crossing the sea cost us dearly, India had to come out of the yoke of 200 years of colonial rule. It became more focused on continental development, forgetting that continental development and maritime development are mutually complementary, she said. "We, of course, also lacked the economic and industrial resources to fully establish a strong maritime presence," the President said while speaking at the 8th convocation of the Indian Maritime University (IMU), Chennai. Before the country could fully exploit the potential of this sector, India should overcome several challenges. "For example, a lot of container ship cargo is diverted to nearby foreign ports due to depth restrictions. In the merchant and civilian ship ...

Capabilities, legal systems needed for arbitration on maritime sector

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday called for developing capabilities and legal systems, so that the country can have an international arbitration centre for the maritime sector. Addressing the final day of the three-day global maritime summit here, the minister said, while there are many Indians working in international arbitration centres in London or Singapore or Dubai, they are all just helping the senior lawyers there and not leading a case. This needs to change and can change, she said. But there is a need to improve and strengthen our arbitration processes and laws so that they meet global standards, the minister said, adding that "when we have developed a system for this we can also have an arbitration centre". On the need to improve financing to the maritime sector, she admitted that despite having a strong balance sheet, banks are not very enthused about funding this sector, largely due to higher risks this sector is associated with. Sitharaman said she is i

Global maritime summit attracts investments worth Rs 2.37 trn on day-2

The Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) has attracted investment proposals worth of Rs 2.37 lakh crore on second day of the three-day event with the signing of as many as 70 initial pacts, according to a release. These Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) were signed in the areas of port development and modernisation, green hydrogen and ammonia, port-led development, business and commerce, shipbuilding, knowledge sharing and port connectivity in the presence of the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, and others. "The Global Maritime India Summit, 2023 has ushered a new age in sustainable development of the country with a record number of 70 MoUs with an investment of Rs 2.37 lakh crore. "The maritime sector is playing an instrumental role, as it has paved the way for India to set sail towards Green Sustainability Transportation," Sonowal said. Sonowal also held Ministerial level bilateral meetings with Ministers from Italy, Tanzania and Sri Lanka.

Rs 10 trn investment, over 300 MoUs on cards during Maritime Summit

Sonowal said that this is the 3rd edition of the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 before this it was also organized in 2016 and 2021

Navy commences mega disaster relief exercise in the Indian Ocean

Exercise Chakravat forms a key component in the Navy's benign role, as climate change has significantly increased vulnerability of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) to natural disasters

Navy to host workshop on sharing information on the Indian Ocean

The regional maritime security community will review progress in this initiative after gathering in Gurgaon for the Maritime Information Sharing Workshop 2023 (MISW 23)

India, ASEAN looking at boosting maritime security ties at summit talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will review progress of India's relations with 10-nation ASEAN at a summit meeting in Jakarta on Thursday. Shoring up India's trade and security ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is likely to be the focus of Modi's engagement with leaders of the bloc. The ASEAN-India Summit will be the first summit since the elevation of ties between the two sides to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year. The two sides are expected to unveil a new initiative to expand maritime security cooperation, people familiar with the matter said. The prime minister will also attend the East Asia Summit that will take place shortly after the end of the ASEAN-India summit. Modi will leave for the Indonesian capital city on Wednesday evening and will return late on Thursday, Secretary of State (East) Saurabh Kumar said. It will be a brief visit by the prime minister to Jakarta as he has to return home for the G20 summit, Kumar said, adding no ..

SL considering China's research ship docking; security concern for India?

Sri Lanka is currently processing a request by China to allow a research ship to dock in the country, a foreign ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday, a year after a visit by a Chinese spy vessel to the Island nation raised security concerns in India. The Chinese embassy here has made an application and the ministry is currently looking at it," Priyanga Wickramasingha, the foreign ministry spokesperson, told PTI. No dates have been fixed yet for the visit, she said. The Chinese research vessel 'SHI YAN 6' is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka for marine research activities in October. Described as a Research/Survey Vessel with a carrying capacity of 1115 DWT, the current draught is reported to be 5.3 metres in length overall 90.6 metres and width 17 metres, The media here is abuzz that the foreign office here is in an awkward position about the request due to possible concerns being raised by India. The vessel is expected to undertake research jointly with the National Aquatic ...

Ship carrying nearly 3,000 Mercedes, BMW cars on fire near Netherlands

The unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of a crew member's life and raised worries on fuel leaks and harm to the delicate Wadden Sea UNESCO World Heritage Site

SL navy arrests 9 Indian fishermen for alleged maritime boundary violation

The Sri Lankan Navy has arrested 9 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu for allegedly violating its maritime boundary, a state Fisheries department official here said on Tuesday. Two mechanised boats were also seized. The fishermen, belonging to Mandapam in the district, set sail for fishing on Monday morning and were apprehended late last night between Katchatheevu and Neduntheevu, the official added.

India-Saudi Arabia bilateral maritime exercise conducted successfully

The sea phase of the second edition of bilateral exercise 'Al Mohed Al Hindi 23', between the Indian Navy and the Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) has been conducted successfully, officials said on Saturday. The exercise was held from May 23-25 in Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia. "INS Tarkash, Subhadra and Dornier maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) participated in the exercise from the Indian side. The RSNF was represented by HMS Badr and Abdul Aziz, MH 60R helo and UAV, " the Indian Navy said. The three-day exercise at sea witnessed a wide spectrum of maritime operations. It culminated with debrief at sea followed by traditional steam past, officials said. The successful conduct of 'Al Mohed Al Hindi 23' showcased a high degree of professionalism, interoperability and exchanges of best practices between the two navies, they said. The bilateral exercise met all its objectives and both sides intend to graduate to a more advanced level of exercises in the next edition, they said.

China, Japan trade accusations over infringement on maritime territory

China's dispute with Japan over tiny Japanese-controlled islands in the East China Sea is heating up again, with both sides accusing the other of infringing on their maritime territory. China says the islands belong to it and refuses to recognize Japan's claim to the uninhabited chain known as the Senkakus in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. Taiwan also claims the islands, which it calls Diaoyutai, but has signed access agreements for its fishermen with Japan and does not actively take part in the dispute. China routinely sends coast guard vessels and planes into waters and airspace surrounding the islands to harass Japanese vessels in the area and force Japan to scramble jets in response. On Wednesday, a Chinese coast guard spokesperson said Chinese vessels had expelled some Japanese vessels which had illegally entered the territorial waters. The unidentified official said its moves were routine measures to safeguard sovereignty and maritime interests. Japan's coast guard on Thursd

Navy extends watch over the Indian Ocean region: Ministry of Defence

Now the IFC-IOR's partnership with the RCOC, Seychelles, allows the Indian Navy to focus its watch further south

Parliament passes anti-piracy bill to ensure India's maritime security

Parliament on Wednesday passed a bill which provides for prevention of maritime piracy and stringent punishment to those convicted of such crimes. The Rajya Sabha passed the Maritime Anti-Piracy Bill 2022 by voice vote on Wednesday. The bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on Monday. Moving the bill for consideration and passage in the Rajya Sabha, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said it has provisions for the prevention of maritime piracy, will strengthen India's maritime security and give it an effective legal instrument to combat the menace. The bill will also enable the country fulfil its international obligations and improve India's standing at global forums. "Ensuring maritime security is key to safeguard India's security and economic wellbeing," he said. The bill was initially introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 9, 2019 and referred to the Standing Committee on External Affairs for examination. Jaishankar said the ministry had held several rounds of extensive ...

Lok Sabha passes Anti-maritime Piracy Bill to promote trade security

Lok Sabha passed the Anti-maritime Piracy Bill, 2019 that seeks to provide an effective legal instrument to combat piracy not only in territorial waters and the EEZ but also on the high seas

India advocates free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific: Rajnath Singh

Amid China's growing assertiveness, defence minister Rajnath Singh has reaffirmed India's call for a free, open and inclusive order in the Indo-Pacific region

India supports strengthening maritime security in Gulf of Guinea

India vowed to support all national, regional and international efforts for strengthening maritime security, including in the Gulf of Guinea, in consultation with countries of the region

Third, and the biggest, edition of coastal defence exercise from today

"Coastal security being a major sub-set of coastal defence, the concept of 'Exercise Sea Vigil' is to activate the coastal security apparatus across India," stated the Ministry of Defence