July 10, 2025
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS), recognizing the critical need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, has issued guidelines to enable and regulate biofuel bunkering activities in accordance with established global standards and best practices.
As explained, the primary goal of these proposed guidelines is to establish a comprehensive and consistent regulatory framework for biofuel bunkering, promoting safety, environmental sustainability, and operational integrity. These guidelines shall apply to all biofuel bunkering operations conducted within Indian waters, regardless of the mode of delivery. This includes ship-to-ship, tank truck-to-ship, and shore-to-ship (including pipeline and terminal-based) transfers of biofuels and their blends intended for marine use. The provisions are applicable to:
- All Indian and foreign-flagged vessels receiving biofuels as fuel at Indian ports or anchorages.
- All entities engaged in the supply, transfer, or handling of biofuels for bunkering purposes, including bunker suppliers, terminal operators, trucking companies, and associated service providers.
- All port authorities and regulatory agencies responsible for overseeing fuel transfer operations and ensuring compliance with applicable safety and environmental regulations.
- All relevant stakeholders including ship owners, ship managers, masters, bunker receivers, surveyors, and personnel involved in bunkering operations.
These guidelines are intended to be read in conjunction with other applicable national and international regulations, circulars, and port-specific requirements governing marine fuel supply and handling. Any deviation from these guidelines shall be subject to prior approval from the Directorate General of Shipping.
According to DSG, the guidelines shall be subject to periodic review and amendment by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) as deemed necessary to reflect technological advancements in biofuel production and bunkering operations, changes in applicable national or international regulations, and evolving industry best practices.
Amendments may also be undertaken based on feedback received from stakeholders and lessons learned from on-ground implementation.
Key requirements for biofuel bunkering operations
As explained by DSG, to conduct biofuel bunkering operations, the bunker supplier must:
- Hold valid approval and certification as a registered biofuel bunker supplier issued by the Directorate General of Shipping. The certification shall explicitly specify the approved mode(s) of delivery (i.e. tank truck-to-ship, shore (terminal)-to-ship or ship-to-ship) and the designated area(s) of operation.
- Comply with technical, safety, and environmental standards as prescribed under applicable BIS/ISO norms, relevant guidelines and this circular.
- Ensure that all facilities, equipment and personnel involved in the bunkering operation meet the minimum requirements for safe handling, storage and transfer of biofuels and their blends.
- Adhere to local port requirements regarding bunkering permissions, safety zones, berthing arrangements, and emergency preparedness.
- Obtain all necessary clearances from the concerned port authority, terminal operator or other competent bodies, prior to commencing bunkering activities.
- Must maintain and provide proper documentation, such as providing a proper BDN, ISCC certificate (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) and COQ (Certificate of Quality). This is especially important when dealing with blends, as the actual blend ratio bunkered as fuel should be transparent to all parties. Bunker supplier to make them available for audit or inspection by the DGS or port authority upon request.
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