India upgrades coastal waters to Sea Area A1, A2 under GMDSS framework
Synopsis
For the first time, India's coastal waters have been upgraded from Sea Area A3 to A1 and A2 under the GMDSS framework, backed by 32 newly operational Coast Guard shore stations. The shift could ease equipment compliance costs for Indian-registered ships — and signals a long-overdue modernisation of the country's maritime safety infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
The Directorate General of Shipping issued a draft circular on 30 July redesignating Indian coastal waters from Sea Area A3 to Sea Area A1 and A2 .
The upgrade is enabled by the Indian Coast Guard's establishment of 32 GMDSS-compliant VHF and MF shore stations along the coastline.
The previous Sea Area A3 designation required ships to carry duplicated radiocommunication equipment under SOLAS Regulation IV/4 .
Operational MRCCs and MRSCs now provide distress, urgency, safety, and search-and-rescue communications across Indian coastal waters.
Ships must comply with SOLAS Regulation IV/4 and the Merchant Shipping (Radiocommunication) Rules, 2026 under the new designation.
The Directorate General of Shipping has redesignated Indian coastal waters from Sea Area A3 to Sea Area A1 and Sea Area A2 under the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), a move that could reduce the radiocommunication equipment burden on Indian-registered ships operating along the coast. The decision was announced through a draft circular issued on Thursday, 30 July.
What Prompted the Redesignation
The upgrade follows the Indian Coast Guard's establishment of 32 shore-based stations — comprising Very High Frequency (VHF) and Medium Frequency (MF) units — that are fully compliant with GMDSS standards. Previously, the absence of operational Coast Radio Stations (CRS) along the Indian coastline had forced the designation of domestic waters as Sea Area A3, the third tier in the GMDSS four-zone classification.
'GMDSS divides global waters into four Sea Areas — A1, A2, A3, and A4 — based on communication coverage provided by Coast Radio Stations. In the absence of operational CRS along the Indian coast, the waters were earlier designated Sea Area A3,' the circular stated.
How the GMDSS Zone System Works
Under GMDSS, sea areas are classified by the type of communication coverage available. Sea Area A1 covers zones within range of VHF shore-based stations, while Sea Area A2 covers areas within MF range. Sea Area A3, the previous designation, applied to waters beyond A1 and A2 coverage but within range of geostationary satellite systems — a classification that mandated ships carry duplicated radiocommunication equipment under SOLAS Regulation IV/4.
With the operationalisation of Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) and Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres (MRSCs) equipped with GMDSS-compliant shore-based infrastructure, the government has now applied A1 or A2 designations depending on coverage zone. The equipment operates in the frequency ranges 156.025–162.025 MHz (VHF) and 1605–27,500 kHz (MF/HF).
Obligations Under SOLAS
SOLAS Regulation IV/5 requires contracting governments to provide shore-based facilities for maritime mobile service across VHF (156–174 MHz), MF (415–535 kHz), and MF/HF (1605–27,500 kHz) bands. The 32 Coast Guard stations now provide distress, urgency, safety, and search-and-rescue communications across Indian coastal waters, fulfilling this obligation.
Impact on Ships and Compliance Requirements
The redesignation means Indian-registered ships and vessels operating within coastal waters may no longer need to carry the full complement of radiocommunication equipment previously required under the A3 regime. However, ships must still install equipment compliant with SOLAS Regulation IV/4 and the Merchant Shipping (Radiocommunication) Rules, 2026, calibrated to the new A1/A2 requirements. The draft circular is open for stakeholder review before formal implementation.
The move marks a significant step in India's maritime safety infrastructure modernisation, with the Coast Guard's expanded network now aligned with international GMDSS standards for the first time.
Point of View
But the real question is enforcement: whether the Merchant Shipping (Radiocommunication) Rules, 2026 will be applied uniformly to the vast and often under-inspected fleet of smaller coastal vessels. The redesignation is technically sound; its benefit to the maritime industry depends entirely on how swiftly and clearly the final circular translates into updated survey and certification procedures.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What does redesignating Indian coastal waters to Sea Area A1 and A2 mean?
It means Indian coastal waters now have shore-based VHF and MF communication coverage recognised under the GMDSS framework, moving them out of the Sea Area A3 category. Ships operating in these waters may no longer need to carry the full duplicate radiocommunication equipment previously required under the A3 designation.
Why were Indian coastal waters previously classified as Sea Area A3?
The Sea Area A3 designation applied because India lacked operational Coast Radio Stations along its coastline, which are required for A1 and A2 classifications. Without that shore-based infrastructure, domestic waters defaulted to the A3 tier under GMDSS rules.
What infrastructure enabled this change?
The Indian Coast Guard established 32 shore-based VHF and MF stations compliant with GMDSS standards, along with operational Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) and Maritime Rescue Sub-Centres (MRSCs). These stations now provide distress, urgency, safety, and search-and-rescue communications across Indian coastal waters.
What are the new compliance requirements for ships?
Ships and vessels operating in Indian coastal waters must install radiocommunication and navigational equipment in line with SOLAS Regulation IV/4 and the Merchant Shipping (Radiocommunication) Rules, 2026, calibrated to the A1/A2 designations rather than the earlier A3 standard.
Is the new designation already in force?
Not yet. The Directorate General of Shipping has issued a draft circular, which is subject to stakeholder review before formal implementation. The final rules will be governed by the Merchant Shipping (Radiocommunication) Rules, 2026.
