The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) will organize the 10th National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-X) on 5th and 6th October 2025, off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
This big exercise held in every two year helps India check how well it can handle marine oil and chemical spills and how smoothly different departments can work together during emergencies at sea.
The event will also include the 27th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP) & Preparedness Meeting, making it one of India’s most important marine safety programs.
✦ NATPOLREX-X Quick Facts
Event: 10th National Level Pollution Response Exercise (NATPOLREX-X)
Organizer: Indian Coast Guard, Ministry of Defence, Government of India
Linked Event: 27th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOSDCP) & Preparedness Meeting
Dates: 5–6 October 2025
Location: Off Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Lead Agency: Indian Coast Guard Headquarters, New Delhi
International Participants: 37 observers from 29 countries
Focus Areas:
- Oil spill response operations
- Teamwork and coordination drills
- Marine environment protection
- Safety and preparedness measures
❖ NOSDCP & Preparedness Meeting
The 27th NOSDCP meeting will also take place on October 5, 2025, along with NATPOLREX-X.
This annual meeting, started under the National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (set up in 1993), reviews how India responds to oil spill incidents.
It will include:
- Technical sessions where experts share their knowledge.
- Workshops on how to deal with oil spills and work with other countries.
- Discussions on using new technologies and improving the preparedness of coastal states.
✦ NATPOLREX-X 2025 Main Activities
1. Technical Sessions – Morning, 5 October
- Presentations on how countries handle oil spills.
- Talks about emergency plans, risk management, and pollution control tools.
- Sharing experiences between Indian and foreign experts.
2. NOSDCP Meeting – Afternoon, 5 October
- Review of India’s oil spill response system.
- Suggestions to make national plans stronger.
- Launch of new crisis management and contingency plans.
3. Live Sea Exercise – 6 October (off Chennai coast)
- A real-life practice drill showing how to handle a major oil spill at sea.
- Use of special ships and aircraft like Pollution Control Vessels (PRVs), Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), Dornier aircraft, and ALH Mk-III helicopters.
- Demonstrations of booms, skimmers, and dispersant spraying systems to clean up and control the spill.
- Teamwork between the Coast Guard, Navy, Ports, and Oil Companies.
❖ Equipment and Technology Used
The Coast Guard will use many advanced machines and systems during the exercise, including:
- Pollution Response Vessels (PRVs) and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs).
- Dornier aircraft for aerial observation.
- Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk-III) for quick response and monitoring.
- Oil containment booms, skimmers, and sprayers to clean up spills.
- Modern communication systems to coordinate all teams.
These efforts show India’s progress under the “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” programs, promoting home-grown technology in environmental protection.
❖ Why It Matters
India imports about 80% of its oil through sea routes, so a big oil spill could cause serious damage to both the environment and the economy.
NATPOLREX-X helps India to:
- Protect its coasts and marine life.
- Build better teamwork between ministries, ports, and oil industries.
- Improve early warning systems and rapid response during marine accidents.
- Meet international standards under conventions like MARPOL (Marine Pollution Convention).
The 10th NATPOLREX-X is an important step in India’s mission to protect its seas and coasts from pollution.
By bringing together experts, government bodies, and global observers, the Indian Coast Guard is ensuring that India stays prepared to deal with marine pollution and environmental emergencies effectively. It represents India’s vision for safe seas, clean coasts, and a sustainable blue economy.
