Technical Circular No: 016/2023
Download PDF 1. Reference is made to Technical Circular No. 063/2022, Dated 1st December 2022 issued based on DGS Order No. 20 of 2022 regarding Certification of Offshore Vessels, Accommodation Barges, etc. while operating in Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
2. Following requirements were specified in respect of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units under Para 3/A/3):
a) Existing 'Mobile Offshore Drilling Units' (propelled/non-propelled) under Indian registry, shall comply with the requirements of MODU Code, 1979, 1989 or 2009, depending on the year of construction/modification. Such MODUs certified as per the 1979 MODU Code shall upgrade and obtain certification under the MODU Code 1989 within 2 years from the date of issuance of the Order.
b) Foreign flag Mobile offshore drilling units certified as per the 1979 MODU Code, working in Indian waters on the date of issuance of the Order, shall upgrade and obtain certification under the MODU Code 1989 within 2 years from the date of issuance of the Order.
c) Any 'Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit' (propelled/non-propelled) participating in a tender, after the issuance of the Order (i.e. Indian or Foreign), shall comply with the requirements of MODU Code, 1989 or 2009, depending on the year of construction/ modification.
3. In this regard, Indian Administration has now issued Addendum No.2 to DGS Order No. 20 of 2022 granting relaxation in the timeline stipulated towards the progressive compliance for the self-elevating types of drilling units operating in Indian waters, certified under the MODU Code.
4. The relaxation measure is applicable to the existing drilling rigs operating in Indian waters, as well as those drilling rigs participating in the tender and being awarded with the Work Order by 30 June 2024.
5. The progressive implementation required to be complied towards the up-gradation of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units from 1979 MODU Code to 1989 MODU Code or above, is prescribed in the following table.
| Compliance steps | Due Date for Compliance | |
| 1 |
GAP analysis of the MODU Drilling rigs(Self-elevating types) with respect to the 1989 MODU Code, duly reviewed by any RO of the Govt. of India or any of the Marine Warranty Survey Organizations from the below list. i. Noble Denton ii. Aqualis Braemar LOC iii. Sterling Technical Services iv. Mathew Daniels v. Global Maritime vi. Or any other reputed MWS organizations, whose Marine Warranty Surveyors are certified with The Society of Offshore Marine Warranty Surveyors (SOMWS) under the appropriate professional category (Rigs/MODU = R) |
31.12.2023 |
| 2 | Operators/owners of MODU rigs to submit a progressive implementation plan for their individual drilling unit-A firm timeline for the up gradation plan (1979 MODU Code to 1989 MODU Code or higher). | 31.12.2023 |
| 3 |
Periodica1(Quarterly) Compliance status by Individual drilling rig Operators/owners |
March 2024 and nonwards |
|
Chapter-wise compliance to MODU Code 1989 and due date |
||
| 4 |
Chapter 2 (Construction, Strength and Material) |
31.10.2024 |
| 5 |
Chapter 3 (Subdivision, Stability and Freeboard) |
31.05.2025 |
| 6 |
Chapter 4 (Machinery Installations) |
31.05.2025 |
| 7 |
Chapter 5 (Electrical Installations) |
31.05.2025 |
| 8 |
Chapter 6 (Machinery and Electrical Installations in Hazardous Area) |
31.05.2025 |
| 9 |
Chapter 7 (Machinery and Electrical Installations for Self Propelled Unit) |
NA |
| 10 |
Chapter 8 (Unattended Machinery) |
31.05.2025 |
| 11 |
Chapter 9 (Fire Safety) |
31.05.2025 |
| 12 |
Chapter 10 (Life-Saving Appliances and Equipment) |
31.10.2024 (Lifeboat by Oct 2027) |
| 13 |
Chapter 11 (Radio Communication Installation) |
31.05.2025 |
| 14 |
Chapter-12 (Lifting Devices, Personnel lifts and Pilot Transfer) |
31.05.2025 |
| 15 |
Chapter-13 (Helicopter Facilities) |
31.05.2025 |
| 16 |
Chapter-14 (Operations) |
31.05.2025 |
6. On completion of the up-gradation process, the drilling rigs will be required to hold a valid MODU Safety Certificate as per 1989 MODU Code or higher before 31 October 2027.
7. Owners/ Managers and Masters of Mobile Offshore Drilling Units certified under 1979 MODU Code, intending to carry more than 12 persons other than Master and crew are advised to be guided by above and ensure compliance.
8. IRS HO may be contacted for further guidance in this regard.
Enclosure:
- Addendum No. 2 to DGS Order 20 of 2022, dated 21st June 2023.
- IRS Technical Circular No. 063/2022, dated 01st December 2022.
Disclaimer:
This Technical Circular and the material contained in it is provided only for the purpose of supplying current information to the reader and not as an advice to be relied upon by any person. While we have taken utmost care to be as factual as possible, readers/ users are advised to verify the exact text and content of the Regulation from the original source/ issuing Authority.