State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) has called bids, the second in the last one month, from private entities for operation and maintenance (O&M) of its offshore vessels named ‘Samudra Sevak’ and ‘Samudra Prabha’. Bidders can submit offers for either of the two vessels or both the vessels for the one-year contract by 02 January, according to the tender documents.

The successful bidder has to mobilise duly approved marine and diving crew fully conforming to scope of work and special conditions of contract with necessary clearances (Port, Customs, Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Home Affairs, etc) and commence work within 30 days (including 10 days for hand over, take over) from the date of notification of award (NOA) or on expiry of the ongoing O&M contract, whichever is later.

The ongoing contracts of ‘Samudra Sevak’ and ‘Samudra Prabha’ will end on 20 March and 29 April 2025, respectively. ‘Samudra Sevak’ is a multipurpose supply vessel while ‘Samudra Prabha’ is a diving support vessel and is used to support ONGC’s oil and gas drilling operations off India’s coast. ‘Samudra Sevak’ and ‘Samudra Prabha’ can operate till 24 February 2026, per the age/qualitative norms introduced by the D G Shipping in 2023. According to the 24 February 2023 order of D G Shipping, 'existing vessels' regardless of its age, affected by the maximum age prescribed, were allowed to operate up to three years from the date of issue of the order. If no extension is granted by D G Shipping on complying with the order, ONGC at its discretion, shall conclude the contract on 24 February 2026 ahead of the completion of the one-year contract without any additional cost or time implication to ONGC, the state-run oil and gas explorer wrote in the tender documents.

Meanwhile, the D G Shipping has mandated the IIM-Indore to undertake an in-depth, comprehensive study on the ‘Age Norms and Other Qualitative Parameters’ for ships it introduced in 2023 which drew flak from the industry.The age norms were designed to encourage a younger fleet to improve safety, meet global rules on ship emissions and protect the marine environment from pollution during mishaps.

However, following a pushback from the industry, the D G Shipping has decided to undertake a sweeping review of its order with a holistic approach, encompassing the entire maritime sector.

IIM-Indore has been mandated to conduct a thorough policy analysis and the submissions made by industry stakeholders, evaluate the impact and implications of the age norms order, write a detailed report outlining the findings of the study, recommend policy measures along with a strategic plan for implementing the recommendations.