States » NorthPosted at: Oct 15 2026 10:05AM


Centre extends coastal compliance deadline to April 2027

New Delhi, Oct 15 (UNI) The Centre has granted ships already operating in, or otherwise permitted to enter, Indian coastal waters until April 1, 2027, a six-month transition period to comply with revised classification requirements and mandatory salvage and marine pollution response arrangements under the new maritime regulations, providing a six-month transition period for the shipping industry.
The Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA), under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, has issued a Circular dated October 14, agranting eligible vessels additional time to meet the requirements specified nder the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026.
The new rules, notified on September 16 under supersede the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Ports, Anchorages and Offshore Facilities) Rules, 2012, and extend the regulatory framework to vessels operating or navigating through Indian coastal waters, irrespective of whether they enter an Indian port, anchorage or offshore facility.
According to the circular, the 2026 rules apply to all Indian ships and to foreign ships operating or navigating through Indian coastal waters.
Under Rule 5, a foreign ship entering or operating in Indian coastal waters whose age exceeds the prescribed threshold must hold a valid certificate of class issued by a classification society that is a member of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) or by a recognised organisation.
Rule 6 further requires foreign ships entering, remaining in, sailing out of, transiting or operating within Indian coastal waters to maintain valid salvage and marine pollution response contracts with entities approved under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
The contractual requirement is intended to ensure that salvage and pollution response support is available in the event of a maritime casualty, pollution incident or other emergency.
However, the maritime administration has acknowledged implementation difficulties arising from the ongoing process of empanelling approved salvage and marine pollution response operators.
The DGMA said it had initiated the empanelment process in accordance with the checklists prescribed under the Merchant Shipping (Wreck and Salvage) Rules, 2026, which are expected to be notified shortly.
The administration observed that finalising the arrangements for retaining approved salvors and marine pollution response operators would take additional time after the notification of these rules.
Consequently, the requirement under Rule 6(1)(c) relating to salvage and marine pollution response contracts cannot be fully complied with until the approved service providers have been notified, the circular stated.
To facilitate an orderly transition from the earlier 2012 regulatory framework, the government has invoked Rule 11 of the 2026 rules to provide a six-month compliance window ending April 1, 2027.
The relaxation applies to ships already operating in Indian coastal waters or otherwise permitted to enter them, allowing shipowners and operators time to meet the additional requirements introduced under the revised rules.
The circular makes clear that by the end of the transition period, shipowners and operators must ensure compliance with the revised classification requirements and maintain the prescribed salvage and marine pollution response contracts.
All shipowners, ship managers, operators, shipping agents and port authorities have been advised to review their existing arrangements and ensure full compliance with the 2026 rules by April 1, 2027.
The directive has been circulated to major port authorities, the Indian Ports Association, state maritime boards, recognised classification societies, the Indian Coast Guard, Mercantile Marine Departments and shipping industry associations.
The circular was issued with the approval of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and signed by Captain Vikram Singh Manhas, Deputy Nautical Adviser-cum-Senior Deputy Director General (Technical).
UNI KK ARN
Tags: #Centre extends coastal compliance deadline to April 2027
More News

205 benefitted from free health camp at Kangra DC office

16 Oct 2026 | 12:16 AM

Dharamshala, Oct 15 (UNI) A total of 205 people benefited from a free health check-up camp organised by the AYUSH Department at the Deputy Commissioner's office complex in Dharamshala, with 60 of the 65 people screened for bone mineral density showing signs of osteopenia, a condition characterised by lower-than-normal bone density.

see more..

Haryana child rights panel bans CCTV access through personal mobiles, laptops at Child Care Institutions

16 Oct 2026 | 12:11 AM

Panchkula, Oct 15 (UNI) In a major move to safeguard children from privacy breaches and potential misuse of surveillance footage, the Haryana State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (HSCPCR) has prohibited child care institutions across the state from linking their CCTV systems to personal mobile phones or laptops, ordering strict controls over access, storage and sharing of recordings. .

see more..

Farmers’ Welfare and Prosperity Are Our Government’s Top Priority: Chhattisgarh CM

16 Oct 2026 | 12:05 AM

Raipur, Oct 15 (UNI) Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Thursday that the welfare and prosperity of farmers remain the highest priority of the state government.

see more..

Row erupts over IAS officer's 'bloody shit' remark against woman JKAS officer

15 Oct 2026 | 11:50 PM

Srinagar, Oct 15 (UNI) A row erupted after an IAS officer allegedly called a woman Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officer "bloody shit" during a heated exchange at an online review meeting.

see more..

Panchkula Police smash ATM card-swap gang: Two held, 70 cards and POS machine seized

15 Oct 2026 | 11:50 PM

Panchkula, Oct 15 (UNI) Panchkula Police have busted a cyber fraud gang that allegedly targeted elderly and less-educated people at ATMs, tricking them into revealing their PINs and then draining their bank accounts.

see more..