The main job for the directorate is to ensure that Indian ships and
shipping companies meet high safety- and environmental standards, to ensure that Indian
seamen have high qualifications and good working- and living conditions, and to ensure that foreign ships in Indian
territory and ports meet international rules. The Director General of Shipping is vested with statutory powers under Section 7 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, and is responsible for implementation of the provisions of the Act. It ensures implementation of various international Conventions, relating to safely SOLAS, (
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) requirements for prevention of pollution,
MARPOL 73/78 and other mandatory requirements of International Maritime Organization. ==Directors==