India has introduced new rules requiring ships to install CCTV systems to improve safety and security at sea. The move, welcomed by maritime safety advocates, is now prompting calls for similar regulations from other nations.
India’s Directorate General of Shipping issued the order in February 2025, mandating that all Indian-flagged vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more must be fitted with CCTV. The rule also recommends the installation of cameras on foreign-flagged vessels of the same size calling at Indian ports. Ships must comply by February 12, 2028, or at their next classification renewal survey, whichever comes first.
The decision follows a series of high-profile cases involving crew disappearances, collisions, and man-overboard incidents where the lack of monitoring systems hindered search and rescue efforts. Officials say that CCTV will provide real-time awareness on board, help deter crime, and serve as vital evidence in investigations.
Edinburgh-based maritime safety technology company Zelim has strongly endorsed the move. The company argues that pairing CCTV with advanced monitoring tools, including artificial intelligence, will set a new global benchmark for crew safety.
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.”
The Directorate General of Shipping’s guidelines recommend comprehensive coverage, including placement on the main deck, forecastle, mooring and stern areas, the bridge, and superstructure. It also highlights the potential of AI-enabled software to track incidents in real time, giving crews a better chance to prevent accidents or respond quickly when they occur.
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.”
Zelim also pointed out that the maritime sector has been slow compared to aviation in 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,” Gregory added.
The company is working with Indian authorities, including the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, to provide technical support for operators preparing to meet the new standards. Zelim is also showcasing its solutions at INMEX SMM India in Mumbai this week.
By setting out one of the most detailed regulatory frameworks for CCTV use at sea, India has sparked a wider conversation about how international regulators and flag states should update safety requirements for the modern era.
