India is gearing up to demonstrate its growing leadership in maritime environmental protection as the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) prepares to host the 10th National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-X) from October 5 to 6, 2025, off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
The high-profile exercise will run alongside the 27th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP) & Preparedness Meeting, bringing together top-tier domestic and international stakeholders in marine pollution response.
A Unified National-International Maritime Effort
The event will witness active participation from key central ministries, coastal state governments, major ports, oil handling agencies, and various maritime organizations. More than 100 national delegates and over 40 foreign observers from 32 countries are expected to attend, cementing NATPOLREX’s status as a critical platform for international cooperation in marine disaster preparedness.
The biennial exercise, organized under the NOSDCP framework, aims to rigorously assess and enhance India’s capabilities in combating oil spills and other forms of maritime pollution.
Cutting-Edge Pollution Response Assets on Display
To showcase India’s operational strength, the Indian Coast Guard will deploy specialized ships and aircraft equipped with advanced pollution control systems. The multi-tiered response strategy will be demonstrated through a series of live drills, simulating real-world marine spill scenarios to evaluate inter-agency coordination and emergency readiness.
The operational demonstrations will not only highlight the ICG’s maritime expertise but also reinforce the importance of synchronized efforts across agencies during environmental crises.
Sustainable Development and Ecological Commitment
NATPOLREX-X 2025 is more than a drill—it is a reaffirmation of India’s commitment to marine environmental protection, in alignment with its broader vision for sustainable development. The exercise is set to:
- Strengthen domestic and global partnerships
- Promote best practices in oil spill response
- Encourage technological innovation in marine pollution control
- Benchmark India’s maritime environmental standards against global protocols
Speaking ahead of the exercise, Indian Coast Guard officials emphasized that the initiative will help fine-tune India’s national response mechanism, while also fostering knowledge exchange with international counterparts.
