The Indian Coast Guard ship Samudra Paheredar, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, made a significant arrival at Manila Bay, Philippines on March 25, 2024, marking the beginning of a three-day visit.
This visit, part of a broader initiative, aims to showcase the Indian Coast Guard’s Marine Pollution Response capabilities while fostering cooperation and addressing shared concerns regarding marine pollution in the ASEAN region. The visit also serves to strengthen bilateral ties with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).
The deployment of specialized Pollution Control Vessels to ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Brunei, from March 25 to April 12, 2024, is the third consecutive deployment by the Indian Coast Guard to ASEAN nations.
In 2023, similar initiatives took place with visits to Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia, as part of the ongoing effort to enhance regional cooperation in maritime security and environmental protection.
During its deployment, Samudra Paheredar is scheduled to make port calls in Manila, Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), and Muara (Brunei). Equipped with advanced marine pollution control equipment and a Chetak Helicopter configured for Pollution Response, the ship is capable of containing and recovering spilled oil, thus bolstering maritime pollution control operations in the region.
Visitors to the port will have the opportunity to witness demonstrations of Pollution Response training and practical displays of equipment.
In a unique initiative, the ship has also embarked 25 National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets to participate in the “Puneet Sagar Abhiyan,” a government initiative aimed at promoting environmental conservation.
Collaborating with partner agencies, Indian Embassy/Mission staff, and local youth organizations, the NCC cadets will engage in beach cleanup activities during the port call, fostering international cooperation in environmental stewardship.
The visit holds strategic importance in strengthening bilateral relationships with key maritime agencies, including the Philippine Coast Guard, Vietnam Coast Guard, and Brunei Maritime agencies.
The Indian Coast Guard has established Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) towards Enhanced Maritime Cooperation and Maritime Safety and Security with the Coast Guards of the Philippines and Vietnam, reflecting the evolving partnerships aimed at ensuring regional safety, security, and environmental protection.
ICGS Samudra Paheredar, stationed on the East Coast of India in Vishakhapatnam under the command of Deputy Inspector General Sudhir Ravindran, has a distinguished record of undertaking various Coast Guard operations.
These include Pollution Response, surveillance in the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), counter-transnational crimes, and Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR), reflecting India’s commitment to maritime safety and environmental protection in the region.
