The DGMA Approved Radio Service Stations list names every workshop cleared to test and service EPIRB, SART and AIS equipment on Indian-flag ships. DGMA grants the approval, and every station’s certificate carries its own validity window, so a ship manager checks this list before booking any GMDSS equipment survey or servicing call.
If you have ever had a radio surveyor flag a missing or expired EPIRB test certificate two days before a Port State inspection, you know why this list matters more than it looks. A workshop can own the right test equipment and still not hold current DGMA approval. This guide walks through what the approval actually covers, shares the full current register, and points out a few details in the data that most ship managers skim past.
Why Do Ships Need a DGMA Approved Service Station for GMDSS Equipment?
SOLAS Chapter IV requires ships to carry GMDSS equipment, and Regulations III/20 and IV/15 require that this equipment gets periodically tested and serviced by a facility the flag state has approved. In India, DGMA’s Nautical Wing runs this approval scheme under the Merchant Shipping (Distress and Safety Radio Communication) Rules, and the Nautical Adviser to the Government of India acts as the Approving Authority for the whole system.
This matters in a very practical way. A ship’s Safety Radio Certificate depends on valid EPIRB and SART test certificates being on board. If a Port State Control officer finds those certificates came from a workshop that was never DGMA approved, or whose approval had lapsed on the day of the test, the certificate itself becomes worthless and the ship can be flagged for a deficiency.
Every vessel required to carry GMDSS equipment also needs a GMDSS-qualified officer on board, and the minimum safe manning scale for international voyages spells out exactly who that has to be. The equipment and the qualified person who operates it are two separate compliance checks, and both trace back to the same GMDSS framework.
How Does a Service Station Get DGMA Approval?
A workshop cannot just buy test equipment and start issuing certificates. The approval runs through a defined sequence.
- The workshop applies to DGMA’s Nautical Wing with details of its test equipment, calibration records, and the technical qualifications of its staff.
- DGMA reviews the application and checks that the equipment and premises match what GMDSS testing actually requires.
- A named list of approved service engineers gets attached to the certificate. Only these individuals can sign off on tests under that station’s approval.
- The certificate is issued with a fixed validity period, typically running four to five years from the date of issue.
- An intermediate audit happens partway through the certificate’s life, confirming the station still meets the standard it was approved against.
- The station applies for renewal before expiry. Miss this step and the certificate shows as expired, even if the workshop is still operating.
- DGMA can withdraw approval entirely, which moves a station into closed or non-operational status on the published register.
Some engineers on these approved lists carry a note reading “OME approved only.” That tag means DGMA has cleared that individual to service equipment only from the original manufacturer’s equipment they trained on, not every brand the station might otherwise handle. It is a detail worth checking if your ship’s EPIRB or SART is a less common make.
What Equipment Do These Approved Stations Test and Service?
- EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon): annual testing and, at longer intervals, full battery and hydrostatic release servicing.
- SART (Search and Rescue Transponder): functional testing to confirm the unit responds correctly to radar interrogation.
- AIS (Automatic Identification System): testing of the AIS transponder as part of the wider radio equipment check, though AIS servicing itself sits outside the EPIRB and SART certification scope.
- Other radio communication equipment: VHF, MF/HF and associated GMDSS installations that fall under the station’s approved scope.
Is There a Difference Between “Approved,” “Expired,” and “Cancelled” Status?
Yes, and treating all three the same is a mistake worth avoiding.
| Status | What it means | What a ship manager should do |
| Approved | Certificate is currently valid and the station is operational | Book with confidence, but still confirm the certificate number against the current register |
| Expired | The valid-until date has passed, but the station may be mid-renewal | Ask directly whether renewal is in process before relying on a fresh certificate from them |
| Cancelled | DGMA has formally closed the station, shown as “Nonoperational” on the register | Do not use this station; any certificate issued after closure is not valid |
The Complete DGMA Approved Radio Service Stations List in India
The table below transcribes the current published register, current as of the update date on the source document (11 February 2026), with Certificate Expiry Date checked against today so the Status column reflects where things actually stand rather than just repeating a printed date.
One note on Sr No. 15: the source register lists this station’s “Location” field as Mumbai, but the address given for it is in Chennai. That looks like a data entry carryover in the original document rather than an error on our part, so it is flagged here rather than silently corrected.
| Sr No | Company Name | Company Address | Location | Certificate Number | Certificate Expiry Date | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A S Moloobhoy Private Limited | Plot No. D-335, TTC Industrial Area, Near IBIS Hotel, Turbhe, Navi Mumbai – 400705 admin@asmoloobhoy.com | Navi Mumbai | 25-54011/1/2023-NT-DGS (C. No. 21672) | 30.11.2028 | Approved |
| 2 | A S Moloobhoy Private Limited | G-406, Anchor House, Behind Hotel Avenue Centre, Panampilly Nagar, Ernakulam – 682036 kochi@asmoloobhoy.com | Kochi | 25-54011/4/2025-NT-DGS (C. No. 34607) | 30.09.2030 | Approved |
| 3 | Ashapura Marinetech International Private Limited | 1st Floor, Time Square 5, Plot No. 12, Ward 7/B, Gurukul, Gandhidham (Kutch), Gujarat – 370201 info@ashapuramarinetech.com | Gandhidham (Kutch), Gujarat | 25-54011/3/2023-NT-DGS (C. No. 22089) | 31.05.2028 | Approved |
| 4 | Azimuth Maritime Solutions | 101, First Floor, SAJAVAT, Near Congress Bhavan, Limda Lane, Jamnagar – 361001 technical@azimuthmaritime.in | Jamnagar, Gujarat | 25-54011/7/2023-NT-DGS (C. No. 26596) | 15.05.2029 | Approved |
| 5 | Delta Marine | 2F/1234, 9th Street, P&T Colony (W), Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu – 628008 support@deltamarine.org | Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu | 25-54011/2/2024-NT-DGS (C. No. 29407) | 31.10.2029 | Approved |
| 6 | Elcome Integrated Systems Private Limited | G-3, Arihant Building, Ahmedabad Street, Carnac Bunder, Mumbai – 400009 service@elcome.in | Mumbai | 25-54011/6/2023-NT-DGS (C. No. 23016) | 19.12.2028 | Approved |
| 7 | Electronik Lab | Regd Office: R/13, Navroz Baug, Lalbaug, Mumbai – 400012. Workshop: 3, Ali House, Ram Nagar, Opp. Rani Baug, Byculla, Mumbai – 400027 khusru@elektroniklab.co.in | Mumbai | 25-25011/5/2022-NT-DGS (Revised) (C. No. 15638) | 31.01.2028 | Approved |
| 8 | Global Tech Integrated Systems Private Limited | 1203, 12th Floor, Ellora Fiesta, Plot No. 08, Sector 11, Sanpada, Navi Mumbai – 400705 info@globaltech.net.in | Navi Mumbai | 25-54011/1/2024-NT-DGS (C. No. 28458) | 10.11.2029 | Approved |
| 9 | Marinetech Safety & Shipping Corporation | Zero Point Char Rasta, Patidar Nagar, Mundra (Kutch), Gujarat – 370421 info@marinetechss.com | Mundra (Kutch), Gujarat | 25-54011/4/2023-NT-DGS (C. No. 22090) | 10.09.2028 | Approved |
| 10 | Marks Marine Radio Private Limited | Regd Office: 609/310, Shop Zone, M.G. Road, Ghatkopar (W), Mumbai – 400086 info@mmrindia.com | Mumbai | 25-54011/2/2023-NT-DGS (C. No. 21771) | 03.12.2028 | Approved |
| 11 | Mastertech Marine Systems Private Limited | 46/3583-C4 (Level 8), NH Bypass, Service Road East, Vennala PO, Ernakulam, Kerala – 682028 solutions@mastersystems.com | Kochi | 25-25011/1/2022-NT-DGS (C. No. 14906) | 31.01.2028 | Approved |
| 12 | Procomm Professional Communications | No. 9, Pushpa Bhuvan, Near Telephone Bhavan, Colaba, Mumbai – 400005 info@procomm.in | Mumbai | 25-54011/5/2023-NT-DGS (C. No. 22890) | 10.09.2028 | Approved |
| 13 | SHM Ship Care Limited | Group Head Office: BPT, Plot No. 51 B, Magazine Street, 1st Lane, Darukhana, Mazagaon, Mumbai – 400010 admin@shmgroup.com | Mumbai | NT/Radio/13/2022-RENEWAL | 03.12.2025 | Expired |
| 14 | SHM Ship Care Limited | 49/5B, Karl Marx Sarani, Opp. Bhukailash Maidan, Kidderpore, Kolkata – 700023 pd@shmgroup.com | Kolkata | 25-54011/5/2024-NT-DGS (C. No. 31693) | 26.08.2029 | Approved |
| 15 | SJV Marine Private Limited | 58, Aiysha Manzil Building, East Madha, Church Street, Royapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu – 600013 service@sjvmarine.com | Mumbai (as listed; address given is Chennai) | 25-54011/2/2025-NT-DGS (C. No. 33371) | 24.04.2030 | Approved |
| 16 | Electroniklab India Private Limited | 10-D, Masilamani Street, T. Nagar, Chennai – 600017 info@elektroniklab.com | Chennai | NT/Radio/01/2020-REV | 22.07.2025 | Cancelled |
Which Cities Have the Most DGMA Approved Service Stations?
Mumbai and Navi Mumbai together account for the largest share of stations on this list, which lines up with Mumbai’s position as India’s busiest port cluster and its long history as a marine electronics hub. Kochi comes next with two separate approved stations, and Gujarat’s coast (Jamnagar, Gandhidham, Mundra) covers three more.
Chennai, Kolkata, and Tuticorin round out the list with one station each. That is a thinner spread than Mumbai’s, so a ship calling at those ports on a tight schedule has fewer backup options if the primary station cannot fit the job in.
What Happens if a Ship Uses an Unapproved or Expired Service Station?
The test certificate that station issues carries no weight with DGMA or with Port State Control. A surveyor checking the ship’s Safety Radio Certificate can treat the EPIRB or SART test as if it never happened, which puts the ship’s underlying certificate at risk during its next survey.
There is a cost side to this too. Re-testing equipment because the first certificate turned out to be invalid means paying twice, and doing it under time pressure right before a survey rather than on a planned schedule.
What Should You Check Before Booking a Radio Service Station?
- Confirm the certificate number on the station’s paperwork matches what is published in the current DGMA register, not just what is printed on their own letterhead.
- Check whether an intermediate audit is coming due soon. A station between audits is still approved, but one that has skipped an overdue audit is a different story.
- Ask whether the specific engineer assigned to your job is tagged “OME approved only,” and if so, whether that tag actually covers your equipment’s manufacturer.
- Verify the equipment scope. A station approved for EPIRB and SART testing is not automatically approved for every type of radio equipment on board.
- Ask directly about renewal status if the printed certificate is close to its expiry date rather than assuming it will still be valid next month.
How Often Should Ship Managers Recheck This List?
Recheck before every new EPIRB, SART, or AIS servicing booking, not just once a year. A station that was approved and current six months ago can move to expired or cancelled status without much public notice, and the printed date on an old invoice from that workshop tells you nothing about where things stand today.
FAQs
Can Any Electronics Workshop Test My Ship’s EPIRB, or Does It Need to Be DGMA Approved?
It needs to be DGMA approved. A general marine electronics workshop can repair equipment, but only a station on the DGMA approved list can issue a test certificate that counts toward your ship’s Safety Radio Certificate.
What Is the Difference Between an EPIRB Test and Full EPIRB Servicing?
A test checks the unit’s self-test function and signal output against the required standards, usually done annually. Full servicing goes further, replacing the battery and checking the hydrostatic release mechanism, and follows a longer interval set by the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Why Does My Ship’s EPIRB Certificate Show an “Intermediate Audit” Date Separate From the Expiry Date?
The intermediate audit checks that the station itself is still meeting DGMA’s standards partway through its multi-year approval period. It has nothing to do with your ship’s own equipment; it is DGMA auditing the workshop, not the workshop testing your beacon.
Can a DGMA Approved Station in One City Service Equipment for a Ship Calling at a Different Port?
Yes, in most cases. The approval covers the station and its listed engineers, not a fixed geographic boundary, though practically speaking a station will usually send engineers to nearby ports rather than travel across the country for a routine test.
What Happens if My SART or EPIRB Certificate Expires While the Ship Is at Sea?
Plan the test date around the ship’s schedule well before the expiry date arrives, since there is no way to get equipment tested mid-voyage. A certificate that lapses at sea becomes a deficiency the moment the ship reaches port and gets inspected.
Does an “OME Approved Only” Tag Next to an Engineer’s Name Mean Anything for My Ship?
Yes, it means that engineer’s approval is limited to servicing equipment from the Original Manufacturer they trained with, not any brand a station might handle. If your beacon is an uncommon make, this detail decides whether the assigned engineer can actually sign off on your equipment.
How Is Testing AIS Different From Testing EPIRB and SART at These Stations?
AIS testing checks the transponder’s transmission and reception performance, while EPIRB and SART testing focuses on distress signal function and battery condition. They are related checks under the same GMDSS umbrella, but they use different test procedures and equipment.
Can a Service Station’s Approval Get Cancelled, and What Happens to Certificates It Already Issued?
Yes, DGMA can close a station’s approval, and the register marks it as closed or nonoperational once that happens. Certificates issued while the station was still approved generally remain valid for their original period, but no new certificates from that station carry any weight after closure.
Is a DGMA Approved Radio Service Station the Same as a Classification Society Surveyor for GMDSS Equipment?
No. The service station tests and services the physical EPIRB, SART, and AIS units. A classification society or flag State surveyor conducts the broader statutory radio survey that confirms the ship’s overall compliance, which relies on valid test certificates from an approved station as supporting evidence.
Do Foreign-Flag Vessels Calling at Indian Ports Also Need to Use a DGMA Approved Station?
Foreign-flag ships generally carry certificates from their own flag State’s approved facilities and are not required to use an Indian DGMA approved station unless their flag administration specifically directs otherwise. Indian-flag vessels, however, must use a station from this list.