IndiaPosted at: Sep 27 2026 9:53AM


India tightens medical safety rules for ships, mandates doctors on vessels carrying over 100 people

New Delhi, Sept 27 (UNI) India has strengthened medical and public health requirements for ships. Indian vessels carrying more than 100 people, including crew, must now have a qualified doctor on board.
The new rules also set detailed standards for medicines, emergency medical supplies, and infectious disease response at sea.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has notified the Merchant Shipping (Medicines, Medical Stores, Appliances and Medical Officers) Rules, 2026, replacing regulations dating back to 1961 and 1994. The rules were issued under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and came into force on publication in the Official Gazette.
Under the new rules, every Indian ship carrying more than 100 people, including crew, must have a medical officer on board. The doctor must hold a recognized degree in medicine and surgery and be registered with a state or union Territory medical commission.
The rules apply to Indian ships engaged in international voyages and in coastal trade with a gross tonnage of 200 or more, subject to exemptions or modifications that may be specified by the maritime administration.
The government has set comprehensive requirements for medicines, medical stores, instruments, dressings, disinfectants, emergency kits, and medical records to be maintained on board. For ships with more than 40 people, additional sets of specified medical supplies are required for every extra 40 people or part thereof.
For ships that must have a medical officer, the required medicines and appliances must cover 99 people. The doctor will determine any additional needs based on the voyage duration and area of operation. Cargo ships carrying chemicals above specified limits must also maintain extra medicines for chemical-related emergencies.
The rules establish safeguards for managing infectious diseases at sea. The ship's master must arrange treatment, isolate the patient, prevent further infection, and monitor contacts for symptoms. Cases must be reported immediately to the port health officer at the next port of call, using electronic communication or, if needed, VHF, port control, or the vessel's authorized agent.
Medical stocks will be subject to stricter oversight. Medicines used during a voyage must be replenished at the next port, and replacement medicines must have at least one year of shelf life remaining from the date of purchase. Medicines must be properly labeled and stored in designated lockers or medicine chests, with separate storage for different categories.
The notification requires annual certification of a ship's medicine chest. The certificate is valid for 12 months unless cancelled earlier after an inspection. Poisons, narcotics, and other dangerous drugs must be kept securely under lock and key.
The notification assigns responsibility for compliance to the ship's master, agent, and owner. Any violation will result in punitive action under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
These new rules represent a comprehensive overhaul of India's shipboard medical framework, replacing the Merchant Shipping (Medicines, Medical Stores and Appliances) Rules, 1994 and the Merchant Shipping (Carriage of Medical Officers) Rules, 1961.
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