MUMBAI : The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) welcomed Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, VSM (Retd.), National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC), and Rear Admiral Rahul Shankar, NM, Flag Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group (FODAG) to the Mercantile Marine Domain Awareness Centre (MMDAC), Mumbai, on 17 July 2026.
During the visit, the delegation was briefed by Capt. Harinder Singh, Nautical Surveyor & Deputy Director General (Technical), DGMA, and In-charge of MMDAC, along with Capt. Nitin Mukesh, Deputy Nautical Advisor-cum-Senior Deputy Director General (Technical), on the functioning of the DG Communication Centre (DG Comm Centre) and India’s Long Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT) System.
The officials explained how these critical maritime systems enhance maritime domain awareness, facilitate real-time vessel tracking, strengthen navigational safety, and support search and rescue operations, emergency response, and regulatory oversight across India’s extensive coastline and surrounding waters. The LRIT system plays a vital role in monitoring the movement of Indian-flagged vessels globally while contributing to maritime security and compliance with international safety standards.
The delegation was also given a live demonstration of the Crisis Response Management Module of the e-Navik Portal, a digital platform designed to streamline the reporting, monitoring, and coordinated management of maritime emergencies. The platform enables rapid information sharing among key stakeholders, helping authorities respond more effectively to incidents at sea.
The visit showcased DGMA’s robust maritime emergency response framework and its close operational coordination with the Indian Navy and the Indian Coast Guard for incident monitoring, intelligence sharing, and coordinated response to maritime contingencies. Officials highlighted the growing importance of technology-driven surveillance, digital platforms, and integrated communication systems in ensuring safe, secure, and resilient maritime operations.
The discussions also focused on enhancing operational preparedness and strengthening collaborative response mechanisms in view of evolving maritime security developments in the Persian Gulf region, a strategically important trade corridor for India’s energy imports and international shipping. The delegation reviewed measures aimed at ensuring uninterrupted maritime trade, safeguarding Indian merchant vessels, and improving readiness to address emerging security challenges.
The visit reaffirmed the importance of integrated maritime domain awareness, real-time information exchange, and seamless inter-agency coordination in reinforcing India’s maritime security architecture. It also underscored the Government’s continued commitment to leveraging advanced digital technologies and institutional collaboration to enhance the safety, security, and resilience of the nation’s maritime sector.
