The Nautical Wing of the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) serves as the backbone of maritime governance in India, ensuring the safe and efficient operation of vessels while upholding both international and national regulatory frameworks. This specialized division is dedicated to overseeing all aspects of nautical affairs, including ship navigation, seafarer training, safety inspections, and compliance with global maritime conventions.

As a crucial arm of DG Shipping, the Nautical Wing is tasked with developing policies that improve navigational safety, regulating the training and certification of seafarers, and implementing measures to prevent maritime accidents and pollution. It plays an essential role in enforcing International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions, such as SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping), and MARPOL (Marine Pollution Prevention), to ensure that both Indian and foreign vessels operating in Indian waters comply with the highest safety standards.