India’s initiatives for opening up a substantial portion of the EEZ and expansion of exploration and production
A successful 135th Offshore Security Coordination Committee meeting
New Delhi. 01 Sep 23: The 135th meeting of the Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) was held at Ahmedabad on 01 Sep 2023, under the chairmanship of DG Rakesh Pal, PTM, TM, Director General Indian Coast Guard, to review the preparedness and effectiveness of the security of India’s offshore installations. The meeting was attended by stakeholders/ representatives from various organizations namely Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, HQ ODAG, Indian Air Force, ONGC, DGH, IB, DG Shipping, MHA, MEA and DRDO.
Addressing the meeting, the chairman of the OSCC highlighted Government of India’s initiatives of opening substantial portion of EEZ and expansion of exploration and production activities in a bid to achieve self sufficiency in energy sector and underlined importance of focused and sustained offshore security efforts for facilitating these activities in a safe and secure environment.
Highlighting the incident of stranded personnel onboard Jackup, rig “Key Singapore” during Very Severe Cyclone Biparjoy, the chairman lauded efforts of rescue agencies especially ICG for safely evacuating 50 personnel in extremely adverse weather and stressed on having SOPs for safety of men and material onboard oil platforms during cyclonic weather.
The chairman also expressed concerns over security challenges emerged due to ongoing conflicts in various parts of the world and emphasized need of modern technology such as anti-drone solutions in order to adapt with evolving maritime threat environment and bolster offshore security efforts. Chairman also stressed on the need of having round the clock surveillance of offshore assets for ensuring security and safety of offshore assets with extension of offshore activities into deeper seas.
The chairman also appreciated prompt response of offshore security agencies in detecting adrift derelict vessel ‘Al-Azher-1’ and subsequent efforts of ICG in averting any un-towards incident shows effectiveness of functioning of OSCC as a forum and emphasized on pre-emptive surveillance to avert such disasters especially during monsoon.
OSCC was constituted in 1978 to ensure smooth and effective functioning of offshore security arrangements. The OSCC is the apex policy making body and meets every six months for reviewing and evaluating offshore security in India.
