Further to this Directorate's decision in respect of compliance of the Special Purpose Ships with the provisions of SPS Code, SD Circular No. 2/2006 and subsequent meetings and consultations held in this connection, it has been decided that the Special Purpose Ships, which do not comply with the SPS Code provisions and are intended to be chartered for operations in Indian waters will be required to comply with the SPS Code provisions in a phased manner as given under:

Self propelled vessels

1.    For the season 2006-2007, the SD Circular No. 2/2006 and DGS letter No. SD-9/CHRT(82)/97-III dated        17/08/2006 shall be kept in abeyance.

2.    For the season 2007-2008, it shall be ensured that such vessels, if carrying more than 12 special personnel shall, as a minimum, comply with the following provisions of the SPS Code.                                

           (a)        Chapter 8 - Life Saving Appliances as applicable for vessels  carrying not more than 50
                       special personnel.

3.   From 2008 - 09 season  such vessels complying fully with the provisions of SPS Code will only be acceptable.

Non-self propelled vessels

4.   For the season 2006-2007, SD Circular No.2/2006 and DGS letter No.SD-9/CHRT(82)/97-III dated 17/8/2006 in respect of compliance with certain provisions of SPS Code shall be kept in abeyance.

5.   For the season 2007-2008, such vessels carrying more than 12 special personnel shall, as a minimum, comply with the following provisions of SPS Code.

            (a)                 Chapter 6 - Fire Protection as applicable for cargo ships.

(b)                 Chapter 7 - Explosive Stowage, if applicable.

(c)                 Chapter 8 - Life saving appliances as applicable for vessels carrying  not more than 50 special personnel.

(d)                 Chapter 9 - Radio Communications.

 6.   From 2008 - 09 season,  such vessels shall also comply with  following additional provisions of SPS Code.

            (a)     Chapter 2  -  Intact and damage stability as per sections 2.1 & 2.2.

(b)     Chapter 3  -  As applicable to auxiliary machinery installations.

(c)     Chapter 4  -  Electrical Installations.

Indian Special Purpose Ships

       In so far as Indian Special Purpose vessels are concerned, the matter has also been reviewed and it has been decided that Indian owners shall not now acquire any such vessel, which does not fully comply with the provisions of SPS Code, if it is a self propelled vessel and part provisions as mentioned above if it is a non-propelled vessel, after the  issue of this Circular.

         Sd/-
(Suresh Kumar)
Ship Surveyor-cum-DDG(Tech.)