The government, according to shipping ministry has taken following steps to prevent oil spill in the ports and other areas:

India being a party to International Convention for the prevention of pollution from ships, 1973 (MARPOL 73/78), the Merchant Shipping Act (MS Act), 1958 has been amended to implement the convention to prevent, reduce, contain and control oil pollution from ships.



Besides, it being a party to Civil Liability Convention 1992, it has amended the MS Act, 1958 to make the owner of the polluting ship liable for any pollution damage caused by oil which has escaped or discharged from the ship. Under this Convention, there is an obligation on the ship owner which carries 2000 tonnes or more oil in bulk as cargo to have a valid insurance or financial security for an amount specified by the Convention.

As per Fund Convention 1992, India has made provision under Section 352-S of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 to compensate any person in respect of damage caused due to pollution and not able to obtain full and adequate compensation for the damages under the terms of Civil Liability Convention.

In line with provisions of Oil Pollution Response Preparedness and Co-operation Convention 1990, Coast Guard has developed National Oil Spill Disaster and Contingency Plan and publishes and promulgates plans to deal with such contingencies. 

According to union minister of shipping GK Vasan, except Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) and Mormugao Port Trust, no other major port has reported losses due to oil spill. 
Year-wise losses in respect of JNPT is given below: