Nautical Wing — Engagement with the International Maritime Organization
India's Nautical Wing at the Directorate General of Shipping coordinates national participation at every major IMO body, translating international convention into domestic maritime law and policy under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
19IMO meetings of Nautical Wing relevance in 2026
9Primary priority sessions requiring lead engagement
4IMO Council sessions — executive governance
Why the Nautical Wing is India's voice at IMO
The Nautical Wing is the nodal body for India's obligations under SOLAS, STCW, MARPOL, MLC 2006, the ISPS Code, and the FAL Convention. As an IMO Council Member and one of the world's largest seafarer-supplying nations, India's positions are shaped and represented by Nautical Wing officers attending sessions in London across the full cycle of technical and policy deliberation.
IMO Programme of Meetings 2026 — Engagement Calendar
January
19–23
Jan
Jan
Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Construction (SDC) — 12th Session
Covers ship structural safety, safe manning, and SOLAS construction standards. Relevant to the Nautical Wing's Ship Registration and Offshore Safety functions under the MS Act, 2025.
February
9–13
Feb
Feb
Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR) — 13th Session
Addresses MARPOL Annex III for hazardous cargo and CLC and Bunker Convention matters administered through the Nautical Wing's Maritime Insurance and Liability function.
23–27
Feb
Feb
Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) — 12th Session Primary
The principal IMO body for STCW matters, seafarer examination and certification policy, watchkeeping standards, and MLC linkages. Core to the Nautical Wing's entire seafarer training and certification regulatory architecture, including examination modernisation pilots at MMD Noida and Chennai.
March
2–6
Mar
Mar
ISWG-STCW 2 — Intersessional Working Group on Comprehensive Review of the STCW Convention Primary
The most consequential ongoing review of the STCW Convention. Governs the future framework for India's seafarer examination, training, and certification system administered through eSamudra and the MMD network.
9–13
Mar
Mar
Sub-Committee on Ship Systems and Equipment (SSE) — 12th Session
Covers Life-Saving Appliances under SOLAS Chapter III, GMDSS equipment standards, and firefighting systems — governing the Nautical Wing's LSA function, liferaft approvals, and LSA Service Station certification.
16–19
Mar
Mar
IMSO Advisory Committee (AC 52)
Covers satellite communication for maritime purposes, relevant to the Nautical Wing's GMDSS, LRIT, and SOLAS Chapter IV functions administered through the DGS Communication Centre.
18–19
Mar
Mar
IMO Council — 36th Extraordinary Session (C/ES.36) Council Security
Convened in the context of the 2026 Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz crisis — the highest strategic priority for the Nautical Wing. The Maritime Security Branch leads India's submissions including the MSRA framework and DGS SOP consolidating multiple circulars under DGS Order XX of 2026.
23–27
Mar
Mar
Facilitation Committee (FAL) — 50th Session Primary
The Maritime Single Window under the FAL Convention is an explicit Nautical Wing function. India's MSW obligations and port clearance efficiency measures are coordinated by the Nautical Wing's Ports function.
April
13–17
Apr
Apr
Legal Committee (LEG) — 113th Session Primary
The primary IMO forum for LLMC, CLC, IOPC Fund, Bunker Convention, and Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention. In the context of the 2026 Persian Gulf crisis and the proposed Bharat P&I Club, LEG 113 carries exceptional significance for India's Insurance and Liability agenda.
May
6–8
May
May
IOPC Funds — May Session
Explicitly listed within the Nautical Wing's International Cooperation and Conventions function. India's contributions, claims, and policy positions on CLC 1992 and HNS compensation are coordinated through the Nautical Wing.
13–22
May
May
Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) — 111th Session Primary
The apex technical committee of IMO — the single most significant meeting for the Nautical Wing in the first half of 2026. Covers the full scope of SOLAS, STCW, ISPS Code, maritime security, GMDSS, LRIT, and casualty investigation under the CIC Code. India's Working Paper submissions on the Persian Gulf crisis are led by the Nautical Wing.
June
22–26
Jun
Jun
Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR) — 13th Session Primary
Directly relevant to the Nautical Wing's Safety of Navigation (SOLAS Chapter V), Communication and Tracking Systems (SOLAS Chapter IV, GMDSS, LRIT), and Maritime Safety functions. Primary forum for ITU maritime radiocommunication matters and World Radio Conference preparations.
July
6–10
Jul
Jul
IMO Council — 137th Session Council
India's sustained engagement at the IMO Council — the executive organ of the Organization — covering programme of work, budget, and strategic direction. A strategic priority for the Nautical Wing's International Cooperation function.
20–24
Jul
Jul
Sub-Committee on Implementation of IMO Instruments (III) — 12th Session
Handles flag state implementation, port state control, and IMSAS audit matters. Directly relevant to India's obligations as flag and port state under the MS Act, 2025.
September
14–18
Sep
Sep
Sub-Committee on Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC) — 12th Session
Primary forum for IMSBC Code, IMDG Code, and VGM policy — all explicitly within the Nautical Wing's Cargo Safety mandate under SOLAS Chapters VI and VII and MARPOL Annex III.
28 Sep–
2 Oct
2 Oct
Joint IMO/ITU Experts Group on Maritime Radiocommunication Matters — 22nd Meeting
Covers GMDSS modernisation, spectrum allocation, and maritime radiocommunication policy, relevant to the Nautical Wing's Communication and Tracking Systems function.
October
5–9
Oct
Oct
48th Consultative Meeting — London Convention 1972 and 21st Meeting — London Protocol 1996
Peripheral relevance to the Nautical Wing's International Cooperation function where ocean dumping matters intersect with port state and maritime safety obligations.
19–23
Oct
Oct
IOPC Funds — October Session
Second IOPC Fund session of the year — providing a further opportunity for India to engage on compensation fund governance and any follow-on implications of the 2026 Persian Gulf crisis.
November
2–6
Nov
Nov
IMO Council — 138th Session Council
Final regular Council session of 2026, at which the programme of work and budget for the following year are settled. Essential to maintaining India's institutional influence at IMO.
9–13
Nov
Nov
33rd Meeting — ICAO/IMO Joint Working Group on Harmonisation of Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue
Relevant to the Nautical Wing's Maritime Safety and Communication functions, including Maritime Assistance Services administered under MMDAC.
December
14–18
Dec
Dec
Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) — 112th Session Primary
Comprehensive relevance across the full range of the Nautical Wing's SOLAS, security, and safety mandates. MSC 112 consolidates regulatory outcomes from across the 2026 sessions and addresses any residual Persian Gulf crisis implications.
Why IMO engagement matters for India
01
Protecting the world's largest seafarer community
India is among the top five seafarer-supplying nations globally, with approximately 80% of Indian seafarers serving on foreign-flag vessels. Every standard negotiated at STCW, HTW, and MSC directly determines their certification validity and welfare protection under MLC 2006.
02
Shaping standards at the drafting stage
IMO conventions are developed through the sub-committee cycle long before entering into force. Presence at SDC, SSE, CCC, NCSR, and PPR allows the Nautical Wing to influence technical standards while still in draft, embedding India's flag state interests in the final instrument.
03
Securing India's seaborne trade
India's merchandise trade is overwhelmingly seaborne. The ISPS Code, SOLAS Chapter XI-2, and the FAL Convention govern conditions under which Indian cargo moves and Indian ports operate. Engagement at FAL, MSC, and the Council directly protects India's supply chains.
04
Leading the maritime security response
The 2026 Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz crisis placed the Nautical Wing at the centre of an unprecedented international maritime security response. India's submissions to C/ES.36 and MSC, the MSRA framework, and naval convoy coordination represent a new level of Indian leadership at IMO.
05
Council membership as strategic leverage
India's seat on the IMO Council places the country in the executive governance of the Organization, determining its programme of work, budget, and institutional priorities. Engagement across all four Council sessions in 2026 ensures India's voice is heard at the highest level.
06
Building insurance and liability frameworks
Indian ship owners and seafarers operate under LLMC, CLC, IOPC Fund, and Bunker Convention frameworks. Engagement at LEG and IOPC Fund sessions ensures that India's liability exposure, compensation access, and the proposed Bharat P&I Club are aligned with the evolving international legal architecture.
Nautical Wing functions engaged at IMO
Examinations and Seafarer Certification
HTW sub-committee, ISWG-STCW review, and MSC plenary. Governs the STCW framework for India's approximately 2.4 lakh seafarers.
Maritime Security Branch
MSC, IMO Council (C/ES.36 and regular sessions), and ISPS Code. Leads India's 2026 Persian Gulf crisis response at international level.
Ship Registration and Operations
SDC, III sub-committee, and MSC. Governs flag state implementation of SOLAS, safe manning, and the Indian ship registry under MS Act, 2025.
Communication and Tracking Systems
NCSR, SSE, IMSO AC, and the Joint IMO/ITU Expert Group. Covers GMDSS, LRIT, SOLAS Chapter IV, and ITU spectrum interests for maritime.
Safety in Carriage of Cargo
CCC sub-committee and PPR. Administers IMSBC, IMDG, and VGM requirements for Indian flag vessels and port operations.
Maritime Insurance and Liability
LEG committee and IOPC Fund sessions. Administers LLMC, CLC, IOPC, Bunker Convention, and Wreck Removal Convention in India.
ILO and Seafarer Welfare
HTW sub-committee for MLC 2006 linkages and IOPC Fund for health and compensation dimensions of maritime casualties.
Ports and Maritime Single Window
FAL Committee. Administers India's MSW obligations and FAL Convention implementation for port clearance and trade facilitation.
Casualty Investigation
MSC and III sub-committee. Administers the CIC Code for maritime casualty investigation and reporting under MS Act, 2025.
18 May 2026
International Day for Women in Maritime
MLC welfare and gender inclusion mandate
25 Jun 2026
Day of the Seafarer
Seafarer welfare, MLC, and Examinations mandate
24 Sep 2026
World Maritime Day
Institutional engagement and maritime diplomacy
26–27 Oct 2026
World Maritime Day Parallel Event
Republic of Korea — India's participation
