The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) on December 31, 2025, issued draft notice on Implementation of SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13 – Lifting Appliances and Anchor Handling Winches on Board Indian-Flag Vessels.
This Merchant Shipping Notice is issued to provide guidance to vessel owners, operators and managers on the implementation and compliance of SOLAS Regulation II-1/3-13, concerning lifting appliances and anchor handling winches, on board Indian-flagged vessels.
This Circular applies to:
• Lifting appliances used for cargo loading, transfer, or discharge, used for raising and lowering hold hatch covers or moveable bulkheads, used as engine-room cranes, used as stores cranes, used as hose handling cranes, used for launch and recovery of tender boats and similar applications, used as personnel handling cranes and anchor handling winches, and associated loose gears utilized with the lifting appliances and the anchor handling winches .
• SOLAS Reg. II-1/3-13 paragraphs 2.1, and 2.4 do not apply to lifting appliances which have a safe working load (SWL) below 1,000 kg. However, for all lifting appliances with a safe working load below 1,000 kg, ship owners and operators should assess their usage and associated risks and incorporate procedures for inspection and maintenance into the shipboard Safety Management System (SMS) and these lifting appliances shall be permanently marked and provided with documentary evidence for the SWL.
This Merchant Shipping Notice lays down comprehensive requirements for the design, installation, testing, examination, operation, and maintenance of lifting appliances, anchor handling winches, and associated loose gear on ships, with key provisions taking effect from 1 January 2026, in line with SOLAS regulation II-1/3-13 and IMO Guidelines MSC.1/Circ.1662 and MSC.1/Circ.1663.
Key highlights include:
• Design & Installation:
Lifting appliances and anchor handling winches installed on or after 1 January 2026 must comply with standards of a Recognized Organization (RO) or equivalent safety standards, be properly load tested, examined, permanently marked with SWL, and supported by documentary evidence. Equipment installed before this date must be tested and examined by the first renewal survey after 1 January 2026.
• Testing & Thorough Examination:
Mandatory load testing, proof testing of loose gear, and thorough examinations by a Competent Person are prescribed after installation, major repairs, and at defined intervals (annual and five-yearly). Unsafe equipment must be taken out of service, clearly marked, and recorded.
• Anchor Handling Winches:
Detailed requirements are specified for commissioning tests, post-repair testing, annual and five-yearly operational tests, and thorough examinations. Certain tests (e.g., bollard pull) may be exempted depending on design.
• Records & Documentation:
Registers of lifting appliances, certificates of test and examination, proof test records for loose gear, rigging plans, and compliance documentation must be maintained onboard and authenticated by competent authorities.
• Maintenance & Operations:
Equipment must be maintained, inspected, and operated in accordance with manufacturer recommendations, IMO Guidelines, classification society requirements, and safe operational practices. Qualified and authorized personnel are required for operations.
• Inoperative Equipment:
Clear procedures are outlined for managing inoperative lifting appliances or winches, including risk mitigation, marking, segregation, and record-keeping, without automatically rendering a ship unseaworthy.
• Demonstration of Compliance:
Certification of compliance with applicable SOLAS provisions is mandatory, with phased requirements for existing and new installations.
Overall, the Notice strengthens safety, standardization, transparency, and regulatory compliance in shipboard lifting and anchor handling operations under the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS).
All comments may be submitted to DGS at the following email ids ([email protected]; [email protected]) latest by January 15, 2026.
[File No. : 13-44012/5/2025-ENGG – DGS (C.No. 38218)]
