India mandates CCTV on ships to strengthen maritime safety

by Featured NewsPorts & MaritimeSafety

India introduces new maritime safety rules

Zelim has reported that India’s Directorate General of Shipping has issued regulations requiring Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) systems to be installed on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more.

According to Zelim, the notice applies to both newbuild and existing Indian-flagged vessels, and extends as a recommendation to foreign-flagged ships calling at Indian ports.

It explained that compliance must be achieved by 12 February 2028 or at the vessel’s next classification renewal survey, whichever occurs later.

The company noted that India’s action follows several high-profile incidents involving crew disappearances, man-overboard cases, and collisions.

Zelim stated that the Indian government has pointed to delayed emergency response and reduced search and rescue (SAR) effectiveness in the absence of real-time situational awareness technologies.

CCTV coverage and technical specifications

According to Zelim, the Directorate General of Shipping has detailed specifications for camera placement and performance.

It reported that CCTV should cover the main deck, forecastle, mooring and stern areas, bridge, and superstructure.

The organisation advised that the specifications include requirements for night vision, resolution, positioning, and data storage.

It explained that these measures are intended to provide consistent and reliable oversight of shipboard activity.

The company said the directorate also recommended the use of AI-enabled software to strengthen monitoring capabilities.

Zelim’s position on international adoption

Zelim stated that India’s decision represents a model that other International Maritime Organization (IMO) member states should consider adopting.

It said that voluntary measures in maritime safety are no longer adequate.

The company explained that global adoption of consistent standards would improve safety for seafarers and ensure more reliable responses to shipboard incidents.

It added that aviation has integrated advanced situational awareness technologies for many years, while maritime has moved more slowly.

The group suggested that India’s decision could serve as a catalyst for broader regulatory change.

Quotes from Zelim leadership

Sam Mayall, Chief Executive Officer of Zelim, said: “This is a landmark decision from India’s maritime authorities and signals a step change in maritime safety thinking. By mandating smarter monitoring systems, India is setting a powerful example that other maritime nations should follow.”

Stewart Gregory, Chief Operating Officer of Zelim, said: “India has raised the bar for ship and crew safety, not just by mandating CCTV but in setting out a comprehensive specification for camera coverage, night vision, resolution, placement, and data storage. This is about more than surveillance; it’s about smart, intelligent, AI-based detection, tracking and alerting technology fully integrated into a ship’s safety protocols. India’s regulation goes significantly beyond current IMO requirements.”

Gregory added: “The maritime industry has lagged behind sectors like aviation when it comes to adopting advanced safety technologies. With proven situational awareness technology already available – capable of improving both incident prevention and response – a global situational awareness standard is long overdue. India’s directive should act as a catalyst for other nations to adopt similar measures.”

Zelim’s technology and support role

According to Zelim, its AI-powered monitoring systems can extend the benefits of India’s CCTV mandate by improving real-time prevention of incidents and supplying forensic evidence for investigations.

The company said that these technologies are designed to assist with accident prevention and support SAR operations.

It added that the systems also help deter criminal activities onboard vessels.

The business explained that it is already in direct contact with Indian authorities, including the Directorate General of Shipping and the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

It stated that it has offered technical support to ship owners and operators seeking to meet the new specifications.

Relevance for fire and safety professionals

India’s CCTV mandate highlights how national authorities can require safety technologies that directly affect operational practice.

For fire and safety professionals, this development shows the value of mandatory standards in improving situational awareness and incident response.

It also underlines the role of integrated monitoring systems in supporting emergency planning and regulatory compliance.

The adoption of similar standards internationally could influence safety protocols across other high-risk sectors.

India mandates CCTV on ships to strengthen maritime safety: Summary

India’s Directorate General of Shipping has introduced rules mandating CCTV on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more.

The regulation applies to Indian-flagged vessels and recommends coverage for foreign-flagged ships visiting Indian ports.

Ships must comply by 12 February 2028 or at the next classification renewal survey.

Zelim reported that the regulations specify placement, night vision, resolution, and data storage requirements.

India has cited incidents where lack of real-time monitoring hindered emergency response and search and rescue.

The directorate has recommended the use of AI-enabled software to enhance monitoring.

Zelim’s Chief Executive Officer Sam Mayall welcomed the decision as a landmark for maritime safety.

Chief Operating Officer Stewart Gregory said the regulation goes beyond current IMO requirements.

Zelim believes voluntary measures are insufficient and has urged global adoption of consistent standards.

The company is working with Indian authorities and offering technical support to ship operators.

Survitec awarded €22.7m contract for dry inert gas systems

by Featured NewsPorts & MaritimeProjectsTransport

Survitec to supply LNG carrier safety systems in China

Survitec has announced that its brand Maritime Protection will provide dry inert gas systems for 24 LNG carriers under construction in China.

The company confirmed on 9 June that the contract is valued at €22.7 million and covers equipment deliveries between 2026 and 2030.

According to Survitec, the deal is the largest single order in Maritime Protection’s history and supports Qatar’s second LNG fleet expansion programme.

The systems will be installed on vessels owned by a consortium of five shipowners.

Each unit will include a high-capacity dry inert gas generator rated at 21,000 Nm³/h.

Design and delivery to span four years

Survitec stated that deliveries will be phased to align with vessel completion schedules.

The manufacturer said the systems will be installed between 2026 and 2030 across 24 ships.

It added that the project will contribute to meeting rising global demand for liquefied natural gas transport.

According to Survitec, system design maturity and operational reliability were central to the contract evaluation process.

The company noted that the order followed a multi-party selection process involving detailed technical reviews.

Bernt Øhrn, Managing Director at Maritime Protection, said: “This is a defining contract for Maritime Protection.

“It’s the largest single order in our history and reflects the growing demand for engineered safety systems in the LNG sector.”

Technical specifications and compliance

Survitec confirmed that each system includes a combustion chamber, cooler, chiller and dryer arranged in a horizontal configuration.

The company stated that this layout helps eliminate hydrocarbon risk in the seawater drain.

It added that the dry inert gas systems are designed to maintain an oxygen level near 1 percent in cargo tanks, minimising fire and explosion risk during operations such as dry docking.

Survitec explained that the design meets approval standards set by DNV, BV, ABS and Lloyd’s Register.

These approvals are required by the shipowners commissioning the new LNG carriers.

Market confidence in existing performance

Survitec highlighted that Maritime Protection has delivered dry inert gas generators for over 400 gas tankers since 2005.

It stated that more than half of those deliveries occurred in the past five years.

Knut Kaupang, Director of Sales at Maritime Protection, said: “Throughout the quotation process, it became clear that the shipowners were focused on securing a technically mature solution from a supplier with a long-standing track record in the LNG sector.

“The vessels involved are among the largest and most advanced of their type, and the equipment requirements reflect that scale.

“Our system design has been proven across a wide range of vessel types and operating conditions, which has helped build confidence among all stakeholders involved.

“When equipment is this integral to a ship’s infrastructure, owners need to have certainty in the design, the delivery capability, and the long-term support behind it.”

Industry relevance and contract background

Survitec reported that the contract was awarded following an extended negotiation period.

It stated that performance history, system maturity and lifecycle support were all key evaluation criteria.

The LNG carriers form part of a wider expansion programme aiming to support increased liquefied natural gas distribution worldwide.

Maritime Protection is responsible for engineering, manufacturing and service delivery across the lifecycle of the supplied systems.

The company noted that its integrated delivery model was a factor in the contract decision.

Survitec awarded €22.7m contract for dry inert gas systems: Summary

Survitec announced a €22.7 million contract to supply dry inert gas systems.

The contract was awarded to Survitec’s brand Maritime Protection.

It covers 24 LNG carriers being built in China for five shipowners.

The project is part of Qatar’s second LNG fleet expansion programme.

Deliveries will occur between 2026 and 2030.

Each system includes a 21,000 Nm³/h dry inert gas generator.

System design includes a combustion chamber, cooler, chiller and dryer.

The layout eliminates hydrocarbon risk in the seawater drain.

The systems are approved by DNV, BV, ABS and Lloyd’s Register.

They are used to maintain oxygen levels of around 1 percent.

This reduces explosion and fire risk during cargo operations.

The contract followed a competitive evaluation and negotiation process.

More than 400 tankers have been fitted with Maritime Protection systems since 2005.

Over half were delivered in the past five years.

Survitec stated that design maturity and lifecycle support influenced the contract award.

Hong Kong shipping regulations revised for IMO compliance

by Featured NewsPorts & MaritimeSafety

Amendments reflect updated international maritime safety standards

The Government of Hong Kong has announced amendments to nine sets of shipping-related regulations.

According to the Government of Hong Kong, the legislative updates align domestic shipping legislation with three conventions from the International Maritime Organization (IMO): the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention, the 2004 Ballast Water Management Convention and the 1973 MARPOL Convention on pollution prevention.

The changes were published in the Government Gazette on May 23 and are intended to improve safety, environmental protection and operational standards across Hong Kong’s maritime sector.

Nine shipping regulations updated to reflect international requirements

The Government of Hong Kong confirmed that the updated rules affect nine legislative instruments under the Merchant Shipping Ordinances (Cap. 369, Cap. 413 and Cap. 548).

These include safety regulations for grain transport, navigation, vessel construction, fire protection, and polar operations, as well as pollution reporting, air pollution control, ballast water management and local vessel rules.

The amendments introduce provisions on the safe carriage of grain cargo, requirements for reporting lost or drifting freight containers, and new measures concerning shipboard lifting equipment.

Environmental and safety protocols strengthened

The Transport and Logistics Bureau stated that the legislative amendments address fire prevention, fire suppression, and requirements for protecting specific compartments on vessels.

Additional provisions also cover navigation planning for ships operating in polar waters and mandate new procedures for packaging, documentation and labelling of dangerous goods.

Fuel-related regulations now require bunker delivery notes for low-flashpoint and gas fuels, along with rules for electronic ballast water record-keeping.

Legislative Council and stakeholders consulted

The Government of Hong Kong said that the proposed changes were tabled for negative vetting in the Legislative Council on May 28.

According to the Government, the Panel on Economic Development, the Hong Kong Fleet Operation Advisory Committee and the Local Vessels Advisory Committee of the Marine Department were consulted on the draft.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau reported that local fuel oil suppliers were also consulted and supported the proposed measures.

A spokesperson for the bureau said: “As an Associate Member of the IMO, Hong Kong is committed to fulfilling our responsibilities to support the protection of the marine environment and the prevention of pollution, as well as to promote safe navigation.

“The proposed legislative amendments will keep our local laws up to date and in line with international standards on those fronts.”

Hong Kong shipping regulations revised for IMO compliance: Summary

The Government of Hong Kong has amended nine shipping regulations under the Merchant Shipping Ordinances.

The amendments align local laws with IMO conventions on safety and pollution control.

The updated regulations address grain carriage, navigation, vessel construction and polar operations.

New rules cover reporting lost freight containers and managing lifting appliances.

Fire prevention and compartment protection standards have been revised.

Dangerous goods handling and documentation procedures have been updated.

Fuel-related requirements include bunker delivery notes and ballast water record verification.

The amendments were tabled for negative vetting in the Legislative Council on May 28.

Stakeholders consulted included legislative committees, advisory bodies and fuel suppliers.

The Transport and Logistics Bureau said the changes align Hong Kong with international maritime standards.

FLIR enhances port security at DP World Yarimca in Turkey

by Featured NewsFire DetectionPorts & MaritimeProjects

Security challenges at DP World Yarimca

DP World Yarimca, one of Turkey’s largest container terminals, has deployed FLIR security solutions to monitor and enhance safety at the port.

The port faces frequent security risks, including illegal fishing, diving, and mussel poaching, which interfere with operations and pose safety hazards.

These activities can also damage the port’s infrastructure, including its cathodic protection system, which prevents corrosion of submerged structures.

Ismail Karaçam, HSSE Manager at DP World Yarimca, said: “Mussel poachers prevent us from efficiently monitoring our port activity and they potentially interrupt our operations.”

Illegal divers and fishermen have also been found in vessel maneuvering areas, causing delays in berthing and departures, which affects supply chain efficiency.

Deploying FLIR cameras for enhanced monitoring

DP World Yarimca selected FLIR security technology after reviewing its options in collaboration with Turkish distributor and integrator IRMARINETECH.

Koray Serbest, founder of IRMARINETECH, said: “We had successfully completed port security projects in Turkey before.

“This already instilled confidence with the team of DP World that we could meet their needs.”

FLIR’s thermal and visible camera systems provide improved monitoring during nighttime and in poor weather conditions.

The port installed various FLIR cameras, including the FC-Series ID analytical camera, the Saros dome camera, and the M232 pan/tilt marine thermal camera.

These enable continuous surveillance of the port’s 800-metre shoreline and a 200-metre perimeter at sea.

Karaçam added: “With the thermal cameras from FLIR, we can now monitor any illegal activity at night, in challenging weather conditions like rain or fog, and from a long distance.”

Port-wide security applications

Beyond detecting intruders, the FLIR cameras also support man-overboard monitoring and oil spill detection.

Security patrols use the FLIR Scion thermal handheld camera to detect individuals hiding in unlit areas beneath the port’s berths.

For broader perimeter security and container area monitoring, DP World Yarimca employs a combination of FLIR Quasar panoramic and PTZ cameras.

These solutions help the port maintain uninterrupted operations while securing both land and sea areas.

The decision to implement FLIR systems was based on their ability to provide high-quality imaging over long distances.

DP World Yarimca also benefits from local technical support via IRMARINETECH, ensuring minimal downtime and quick maintenance when required.

Future developments in security technology

DP World Yarimca continues to explore further applications of FLIR technology to strengthen port security.

The port is considering deploying thermal boom cameras on cranes to improve surveillance around vessels.

Additionally, the port is evaluating thermal fire detection cameras to identify early signs of heat build-up.

FLIR FH-Series R cameras, which can detect small temperature changes, could help prevent fires before they escalate, alerting operators through an integrated video management system for rapid response.

A security manager at DP World Yarimca said: “We want to guarantee continued security to our customers, which means that we just cannot afford technical downtime.”

FLIR enhances port security at DP World Yarimca in Turkey: Summary

DP World Yarimca, a major container terminal in Turkey, has implemented FLIR security solutions to monitor and secure its port operations.

The port faces challenges such as illegal fishing, mussel poaching, and intrusions into vessel maneuvering areas.

FLIR’s thermal and visible camera systems provide enhanced surveillance capabilities, improving monitoring in low visibility conditions.

The cameras help detect intruders, support man-overboard response, and monitor oil spills.

The port has deployed FLIR’s FC-Series ID, Saros dome, M232 pan/tilt marine cameras, and Quasar PTZ cameras for perimeter and container area monitoring.

The integration of these solutions has improved security and operational efficiency.

DP World Yarimca is exploring additional security applications, including thermal boom cameras for crane-mounted surveillance and thermal fire detection systems for early warning.

The partnership with local distributor IRMARINETECH ensures continued technical support for the port’s security infrastructure.

Survitec launches major service centre expansion in Southampton

by Featured NewsPorts & Maritime

New 10,000 Sq. Ft. Facility Boosts Safety Equipment Servicing Capability

The internationally-renowned safety technology provider, Survitec, has significantly expanded its UK service operations with the inauguration of a comprehensive service centre in the Port of Southampton.

This facility is purposefully designed and fitted out to perform specialised servicing and repairs for life-rafts, lifejackets, immersion suits, and a host of other safety equipment. The large-scale expansion is set to provide increased capacity and expedited servicing times for an array of clients including those in the cruise, defence, Border Force, and commercial shipping sectors.

Optimised positioning for enhanced customer service

Survitec’s Operations Manager, Iain Allan, based in Southampton, has pointed out the strategic positioning of the new centre, stating that it will enable “swift access in and out of the docks” and thus, ensure an improved level of service to ships. He said that “many months” were spent in the search and fitting out of this “right facility in Southampton”, which is expected to “service more than 2,000 life-rafts a year” with potential for further expansion.

Upgrades and expansion

As a result of its major expansion, Survitec has not reduced its servicing turnaround time by up to 50%, and increased its workforce by 20% to accommodate the requirements of the new Service Centre. The Southampton facility is well-equipped with a 3,000-litre water tank for testing life-rafts and rescue boats, a special area dedicated to lifejacket servicing and repair, and a unique platform to accommodate large life-rafts.

Survitec’s Managing Director, UK Marine, Ronnie Vettese, has highlighted the benefits of the centre’s location in facilitating better management of their offerings to support regional customers. Looking forward, he mentioned that the new facility will “enable us to expand upon our customer offering” by introducing services related to fire, lifeboat, and mooring equipment.

Launch ahead of major marine exhibition

The latest addition to Survitec’s service centres was strategically launched this week, coinciding with Seawork, Europe’s largest commercial marine and workboat exhibition, held in Southampton.

This strategic move further cements Survitec’s position as a global leader in the supply, inspection, testing, servicing, and repair of safety and survival equipment. The company’s extensive global presence spans over 400 service centres, covering 2,000 ports worldwide.

Survitec revolutionises ship safety with integrated fire defence system

by Featured NewsPorts & Maritime

Global Survival Technology provider, Survitec, has unveiled a state-of-the-art safety management solution aimed at significantly enhancing onboard ship safety. This revolutionary solution, dubbed Safety Management and Rapid Response Technology Interface (SMARR-TI), boasts an interactive graphical monitoring interface that seamlessly integrates fire detection and suppression systems.

Conceived in collaboration with Turkish shipyard, Tersan, and Norwegian firm, Havila Voyages, SMARR-TI has already been implemented on two 15,500gt passenger ships.

Enabling swift action

Rafal Kolodziejski, Head of Product Support and Development at Survitec, said: “SMARR-TI is unique in that it can integrate both fire detection and fire suppression systems within one easy-to-use solution; there is currently no other digitised safety monitoring solution like this. What sets it apart is that it is interactive. The aim is to give early warning of changes in a quick and effective way, and then to enable swift action to prevent a fire from happening.”

Exceeding the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements, SMARR-TI provides an interactive digital representation of the entire ship’s fire defence mechanisms, including fire prevention, detection, and suppression.

The system’s functionality is optimised via a 27-inch touchscreen monitor located in the control room and bridge. Through this interface, the crew can effortlessly monitor the ship’s fire defences, receiving real-time status alerts regarding temperature fluctuations or the presence of smoke or flame. In such an event, SMARR-TI activates automatically, triggering a series of responsive actions including sounding the alarm, shutting down ventilation, activating CCTV cameras, and sending signals to the alarm monitoring system, SMS interface, and public announcement system.

Digital graphical monitoring

Vassilis Georgossopoulos, Sales Manager, Newbuild, Survitec, revealed: “The idea for a digital graphical monitoring system was already being developed by our engineers when we won the contract for the first Havila vessel. We realised that the ship’s profile fitted perfectly with the concept. The yard and owner agreed, and we started developing this as part of the project.”

As part of the agreement, Survitec provided Tersan with a comprehensive fire safety package for two new Havila Voyages’ ships, Havila Capella and Havila Castor. Notably, Havila Capella features the world’s largest battery pack installed on a passenger ship and was the recipient of the prestigious Next Generation Ship Award at Nor-Shipping 2022.

“Survitec’s proposal was exactly what we required for the Havila ships,” said Adnan Barış Arda, Project Manager, Tersan. “SMARR-TI acts as a ‘vessel monitoring brain’. Building new systems is a tough process, especially on a prototype vessel, and an open dialogue is the key to success.”

Future installations

Following the successful collaboration, Survitec has received additional orders, with further plans for installation on the Havila Polaris and Havila Pollux, set for delivery by summer 2023.

The company has also secured contracts with Turkey’s Cemre shipyard, with plans to offer SMARR-TI as an additional option in their safety packages installed on a Norwegian fishing vessel and a Danish passenger ferry.

Survitec will be showcasing SMARR-TI at the upcoming Nor-shipping trade fair, held in Lillestrøm, Norway, from the 6th to the 9th of June, in Hall C on Stand C02-46.

Survitec introduces pre-inspection dry dock safety service

by Featured NewsPorts & Maritime

Survival Technology solutions provider Survitec has introduced a new, formalised pre-inspection solution as part of its dry dock safety service to help ship owners and managers optimise and expedite dry docking schedules.

As part of Survitec’s fully managed, “safety-first” dry docking solution, the pre-inspection service is designed to support the servicing and inspection of all onboard safety and lifesaving equipment.

Full certification

A qualified service technician boards the ship during normal port operations to assess and verify the scope of work, with the added benefit of helping to ensure dry dockings do not overrun and ships leave on time, fully certified and within budget.

“It smooths the entire dry docking process,” commented Survitec Technical Sales Manager, Jan-Oskar Lid. “Advance planning pays dividends in terms of efficiency and transparency for owners and operators to plan and budget accordingly with a full scope of work planned and ready before the vessel enters dry dock. 

“A pre-inspection does not have to take place in the same yard or location where the dry dock will take place. This is the advantage of our global service station network.”

Regulatory requirements

As part of the service, Survitec teams review and set out a schedule of works in line with regulatory requirements. This includes collating and reviewing the necessary safety certificates and documentation and liaising with the shipyard and suppliers to expedite parts, procurement and equipment servicing.

An additional benefit is that it can also reduce the risk of any unexpected work cropping up during dry docking that could lead to unplanned delays, additional cost and lost revenue.

Operational delays

“The value of a pre-inspection call or visit has been demonstrated time and again over our many years’ experience of safety servicing,” explained Lid.

“Our trained technicians can identify issues that the ship owner or manager may not have yet recognised or may have been misdiagnosed. For example, one customer ordered a gas top-up for a CO2 low pressure system. During a preparatory call, we were able to identify an underlying issue with the tank and arrange the necessary repairs. If this issue had not been identified until the time of service, the vessel could have been left off hire for longer, causing costly delays to their operating schedule.”

Flexibility is a key benefit of the Survitec dry dock safety service. Referring to one project where LNG vessels were initially scheduled to dry dock in Qatar, Lid said: “At the last minute, the customer notified us that two of the vessels would be shifted to Singapore. This was not a problem for us as we have the network and resources to accommodate the change of plan.”

Standardised procedure

As Finn Lende-Harung, Commercial Director – Fire, explained: “With 100+ years’ experience as an OEM, we are fully conversant with IMO, Flag, Class and brand requirements for the different equipment and service intervals. We also have a global servicing network and the reach to service at all the major dry dock locations worldwide, in line with a vessel’s operational profile.”

“All our technicians follow standardised procedures to ensure the level of service, quality and professionalism are the same irrespective of location. From the customer’s point of view, they are dealing with a single solution provider, one trusted supplier that solves all the issues.”

“Dry dockings are highly complex projects,” added Lende-Harung. “There can never be any cast-iron guarantees that everything will go completely to plan, but our service affords ship owners and managers confidence of compliance, cost transparency and greater certainty that vessels will complete on schedule and with a clean certificate without any unnecessary down-time or drain on resources.”

Merchant Shipping Fire Protection Regulations update proposed

by Featured NewsPorts & Maritime

A draft of the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Regulations 2023 were published (22 November 2022) published as a draft, along with an accompanying draft explanatory memorandum.

The draft regulations are being published for 28 days. Following the conclusion of this period, and once any observations on the draft regulations have been taken into account, they will be laid for approval by each House of Parliament.

The draft regulations revoke and replace the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection: Large Ships) Regulations 1998 (SI 1998/1012) (‘the 1998 regulations’), the Merchant Shipping (Fire Protection) Regulations 2003 (SI 2003/2950) (‘the 2003 regulations’) and makes other consequential amendments to implement the most up to date requirements of chapter II-2 in the annex to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (‘the convention’), relating to safety measures for fire protection on ships.

The draft regulations implement requirements for fire protection on ships in chapter II-2 of the annex to the convention, including previously unimplemented requirements to improve fire detection and suppression on cabin balconies for tanker ships to carry an oxygen measuring meter and portable gas detector and other measures.

The updated measures in chapter II are in force internationally, but the measures must also be incorporated into our national legislation to enable them to be enforced effectively, most notably to discourage non-compliance by non-UK flagged ships in UK waters, which would be detrimental to the safety of shipping in UK coastal areas.

The draft regulations will also ensure that UK law includes increased safety standards for fire protection on both UK flagged ships and non-UK flagged ships within the scope of the convention operating in UK waters, as well as including an ambulatory reference provision to ensure that future amendments to chapter II-2 referred to in the draft regulations will automatically become UK law when they enter into force internationally.