The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has issued a new order, DGS Order No. 09 of 2023, reiterating the ban on using Thuraya, and other similar satellites in Indian waters. The original ban was imposed through DGS Order No. 02 of 2012 on 17 May 2012.
Under GMDSS, the usage of Iridium Mobile Satellite communication equipment in the Indian Waters are considered subject to the conditions as outlined under;
- Merchant ships may install and keep the lridium equipment active in Indian Territorial waters, provided the equipment is registered and certified as per the prevailing rules ofthe Flag of the ship and is used only onboard ship and the portable Iridium sets may not be carried onto lndian Land Territory.
- Iridium Satellite equipmeht shall be used in GMDSS exclusively for Maritime Radiocommunications relating to Distress and Safety, Search and Rescue and for receiving Maritime Safety Information (MSI) from ship’s fixed installations only.
- The ships transiting or visiting in Indian waters shall continue to declare IMEI number of the equipment in the Pre-Arrival Notification on Security (PANS).
Thuraya Satellite Equipment is not an integral part of Maritime Radiocommunication system under Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (CMDSS) and its usage is continued to be banned in Indian Waters.