Port state control and Flag State Implementation Rules 2026 under Merchant Shipping Act 2025

The Gazette of India

CG-DL-E-31072026-275005

EXTRAORDINARY

PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

No. 610] NEW DELHI, MONDAY, JULY 27, 2026/SHRAVAN 5, 1948

MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS

NOTIFICATION

New Delhi, the 27th July, 2026

G.S.R. 672(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 76, sub-section (1) of section 77, sub-section (1) and clause (e) of sub-section (1) of section 134, clause (c) of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) of section 151, sub-section (1) and clause (f) of sub-section (2) of section 152, sub-section (1) and clauses (g), (h) and (i) of sub-section (2) of section 319 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely: —

 

CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY

1. Short title and commencement. — (1) These rules may be called the Merchant Shipping (Port State Control and Flag State Implementation) Rules, 2026.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. — (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, ––
   • “Act” means the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025);
   • “Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System” means the digital platform used by the Director-General or by the memorandum of understanding for targeting, reporting, recording and sharing Port State Control inspection data and vessel risk profiles;
   • “certification” includes the verification of the validity of all required certificates and other documents pertaining to a vessel, its company or port, with all requisite surveys completed and endorsed by the competent authority of the vessel’s flag State or recognised organisation of the flag State, and which shall be produced on demand;
   • “deficiency” means a condition found not to be in compliance with the requirements of the relevant convention;
   • “detention” means an intervention action taken by the port State when the condition of the vessel or its crew does not correspond substantially with the relevant conventions to ensure that the vessel will not sail until it can proceed to sea without presenting a danger to the vessel or persons on board, or without presenting an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment, whether or not such action will affect the normal schedule of the departure of the vessel;
   • “memorandum of understanding” means any regional Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control to which India is a party for carrying out Port State Control inspections, as per International Maritime Organisation Resolution 1185 (33) as amended from time to time;
   • “national authority” means the chief surveyor as may be appointed under sub-clause (ii) of clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Act for Port State Control and Flag State Implementation;

 

 

• “Port State Control” means the inspection of foreign vessels in India’s ports, terminals, anchorages, port facilities or offshore facilities or the territorial waters of India to verify that the condition of the vessel, its equipment, and its operation comply with the requirements of applicable international conventions and that the vessel is manned and operated in compliance with those conventions and with these rules;
• “Port State Control Officer” means a surveyor as may be appointed under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8 or under section 9 of the Act, authorised by the national authority to carry out Port State Control inspections and who acts under the responsibility of the Central Government for the purposes of these rules;
• “recognised organisation” means an organisation authorised by the respective flag State of the vessel to carry out statutory survey and certification on its behalf as per the Code for recognised organisations, as adopted by the organisation through Resolution 349(92) and MEPC.237(65), as amended from time to time;
• “substandard vessel” means a vessel whose hull, machinery, equipment, or operational safety is substantially below the standards required by the relevant conventions or whose crew or their certifications do not conform to the safe manning requirements and has one or any of the following characteristics, namely: –
  • absence of principal equipment or arrangements required by the conventions;
  • non-compliance of equipment or arrangements with the relevant specifications of the conventions;
  • substantial deterioration of the vessel or its equipment;
  • insufficiency of operational proficiency or unfamiliarity of the crew with essential operational procedures; or
  • insufficiency of manning or of valid certification of seafarers;
• “unsafe vessel” means a vessel, including an unseaworthy vessel, which—
  • poses a risk to safety of life; or
  • poses an unreasonable threat of harm to environment by reason of its safe manning, hull, machinery, equipment, training and working conditions of seafarers or operational safety being substantially below the required standards; or
  • poses an unreasonable threat to the safety and security of ports, terminals, anchorages, port facilities or offshore facilities or the territorial waters of India;
  • does not have the crew meeting the requirements of the relevant conventions, or that the master or crew are not familiar with essential shipboard safety, security, or pollution prevention procedures.

 

(2) Words and expressions used and not defined in these rules but defined in the Act, international conventions and Codes shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act or in the relevant international conventions and Codes, as the case may be.

3. Port State Control Officers and Flag State Inspectors.— (1) Port State Control Officers and Flag State Inspectors shall be authorised to carry out Port State Control inspections under these rules.

• The qualification and experience of the Port State Control Officers and Flag State Inspectors shall be as specified in Schedule – I.

 

 

• The Port State Control Officers and Flag State Inspectors authorised under sub-rule (1) shall conduct inspections only under the directions of the jurisdictional field authority referred to in rule 4.
• Every Port State Control Officer and Flag State Inspector shall carry an official identity card issued by the jurisdictional Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, which shall meet the requirements specified in Schedule – II, including clear identification of the officer as Port State Control Officer or Flag State Inspector along with photograph and designation of the issuing authority and validity.

4. Field — (1) The Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Department for each port or region shall be the field authority responsible for all Port State Control inspections and Flag State inspections carried out under his jurisdiction.

• The field authority shall nominate and assign authorised Port State Control Officers or Flag State Inspectors to carry out Port State Control inspections and Flag State inspections, as applicable, on vessels arriving at ports, anchorages and offshore installations within its
• The field authority, upon being satisfied with the reports of Port State Control inspections or Flag State inspections, shall approve the reports and forward them to the national authority for final review and for uploading in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System, as required.
• The field authority shall be the designated detaining authority for vessels found to be substandard or unsafe or otherwise not in compliance with the provisions of the Act or applicable International Maritime Organisation Resolutions and Port State Control procedures:

Provided that no vessel shall be detained without the approval of the jurisdictional Principal Officer.

5. National authority. — (1) The national authority shall have overall responsibility for the uniform implementation of these rules throughout India.

• The national authority, upon receipt of the inspection reports forwarded by the field authorities under sub-rule (3) of rule 4, shall review and, if found satisfactory, approve the Port State Control or Flag State inspection reports for final uploading in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System and for any further action required at the national or international level.
• The national authority shall be responsible for –
  • approving and maintaining the list of surveyors authorised to carry out Port State Control and Flag State inspections in India; and
  • granting, suspending or withdrawing the authorisation of any Port State Control Officer or Flag State Inspector, based on performance, competence, or any misconduct, in accordance with the requirements of these rules and the Act.

 

 

CHAPTER II

FLAG STATE IMPLEMENTATION

6. Application of this — Unless otherwise expressly provided, the provisions of this Chapter shall apply to—
   • any vessel which is registered in India under the Act and any vessel required by the Act to be so registered, wherever the vessel may be operating;
   • all River-Sea Vessels and all Indian Coastal Vessels, irrespective of their tonnage or service category, to the extent that the safety, security, and pollution prevention provisions of the Act and rules made thereunder apply to them.
7. Relevant conventions and obligations. — (1) The implementation of Flag State implementation and inspection procedures under these rules for Indian vessels, companies, and recognised organisations shall be guided by India’s obligations under the international law and instruments, including —
   • Article 217 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 which requires that a flag State ensure vessels flying its flag comply with applicable international rules and standards, and prescribes enforcement measures against vessels that violate such rules; and
   • Part II of the International Maritime Organisation Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) which provides the mandatory standards for Flag States in administering the safety and environmental provisions of the International Maritime Organisation conventions, including oversight of surveys, inspections, casualty investigations, and issuance of certificates.

(2) The Director-General shall establish and enforce a coherent system for Flag State inspections, audits, and related measures as specified in these rules, to meet or exceed the International Maritime Organisation Instruments Implementation Code standards.

8. Exemptions, equivalents, and alternative design. — (1) The Director-General, when so empowered or authorised under the Act, may grant specific exemptions from particular provisions of the Act or rules, allow equivalent solutions, or approve alternative design and arrangements for Indian vessels, in accordance with the provisions of the applicable conventions and the Act.

• When an exemption is granted to an Indian vessel or class of vessels or an equivalent or alternative design and arrangements is approved by the Director-General under sub-rule (1), the decision shall be documented by issuance of an exemption certificate or similar instrument:

Provided that where a vessel carries a valid exemption certificate or documentation of an approved equivalence or alternative issued by the Director-General or by a recognised organisation on its behalf, it shall be presumed that the vessel complies with such requirement.

• Where any doubt arises during a Flag State Inspection as to whether a particular exemption, equivalence or alternative design and arrangements has been authorised, the Flag State Inspector shall not impose sanctions for non-compliance on that item until verification is received from the national authority:

Provided that this sub-rule shall not apply where the situation poses an immediate hazard that warrants intervention.

 

 

9. Frequency of inspections.— (1) The Director-General shall determine the frequency of Flag State inspections after taking into account the vessel’s type, age, trading area, and Port State Control and Flag State Inspection performance:

Provided that if during the window specified for the scheduled Flag State Inspection the vessel is trading abroad, the vessel shall carry out a General Inspection equivalent to an annual survey, through a recognised organisation other than the recognised organisation which carried out the last statutory surveys on the vessel.

• In addition to the periodic inspections, any Indian vessel detained by a Port State Control authority in a foreign port, –
  • shall also be subjected to a Flag State Inspection at its first port of call in India;
  • may be subjected to additional oversight measures by the national authority, such as intensified inspection of other vessels in its fleet or an audit of the company’s shore based safety management system, if the detention indicates systemic issues.
• The Principal Officer of any Mercantile Marine Department or the Director-General’s Port State Control-Flag State Implementation Branch may, at any time, direct that a surprise or unscheduled Flag State Inspection be carried out on any Indian vessel, based on bona-fide complaints, emerging safety information, casualties, incident reports, or unsatisfactory Port State reports, before the next scheduled periodic inspection.

10. Oversight and — (1) The field authorities shall be responsible for administering Flag State inspections within their areas.

• The national authority shall maintain oversight of the entire Flag State Implementation regime and act as the coordinating and appellate authority.
• Any disagreements or disputes arising from Flag State inspections may be referred to the national authority for resolution.

11. Conduct of flag State — (1) A flag State inspection shall be a comprehensive and detailed examination of the vessel, covering all aspects of the statutory requirements that apply to the vessel.

(2) If during any inspection or survey conducted by a recognised organisation, any serious deficiencies are observed, which in the opinion of the attending surveyor, could affect the safe operation of the vessel or present an imminent risk to the crew or environment, the recognised organisation shall immediately inform the national authority before the vessel departs the port and upon receiving such information, the national authority shall instruct that the vessel should remain in port until repairs are effected or sail under restrictions, to a repair yard.

12. Operational tests and — The Flag State Inspector may require operational tests or drills similar to those in port State inspections to assess the crew and vessel’s preparedness;

Provided that no test or drill shall be conducted if the master objects on the grounds that it would compromise immediate safety.

13. Reporting of flag State inspections. — (1) On completion of a flag State inspection, the inspector shall prepare a detailed inspection report in the format specified by the Director-General and shall be uploaded in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System and a printed or electronic copy of the inspection report shall be provided to the master for vessel’s records, which shall be acknowledged by the master’s signature.

 

 

• If due to technical issues or remote location, the inspector is not able to directly upload the report online, the inspector shall make a report manually in accordance with Schedule – VIII and the report shall then be entered in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System at the earliest.
• The recognised organisations conducting general inspection or flag-related surveys on Indian vessels shall promptly report their findings to the Director-General and upload the examination report in the digital system.

14. Follow-up and re-inspection by flag State. — (1) Upon completion of inspection, if the owner or master informs that the required corrective actions have been taken, the flag State inspector or another officer authorised by the field authority shall, without undue delay and with minimal impact on the vessel’s schedule, carry out a re-inspection to verify rectification of the deficiencies.

• The field authority shall ensure that authorised flag State inspectors are available at short notice for such re-inspections, particularly if a vessel’s sailing or cargo operations are being held up pending verification of rectifications.
• In cases where port operational constraints necessitate shifting a vessel detained or under repair for deficiencies, from a berth to anchorage or another location, the port authorities may do so under supervision and with the concurrence of the jurisdictional Principal Officer, subject to any safety measures specified by him.

15. Detention of Indian vessels by field authority.— (1) Upon inspection or otherwise, if it is found that the condition of an Indian vessel or its crew or its operation fails to comply with the requirements of the Act or the rules or applicable conventions creating a situation of danger to life, property or the marine environment, the field authority, may provisionally detain the vessel and the vessel shall be prevented from sailing until necessary actions are taken to remove the hazards.

• Where a vessel is provisionally detained by the field authority, a detention order shall be issued to the master in the format specified in Schedule – IX, clearly stating that the vessel is detained under the authority of the Central Government and list the grounds for the detention and a copy of such order shall immediately be communicated to the national authority, vessel’s owner or operator and the recognised organisation responsible for the vessel’s certification.
• A release order as per Schedule – X shall be given once the vessel is deemed fit to

16. Suspension of inspection. — (1) If a flag State inspector finds an Indian vessel in an extraordinarily poor state due to numerous serious deficiencies across the board, indicating a breakdown of the vessel’s maintenance or management such that continuing a normal inspection is futile, he may, with the consent of the Principal Officer, suspend the inspection and report the vessel as unseaworthy or substandard and notify the master in writing about such

• Upon suspension under sub-rule (1), the owner or manager of the vessel shall take necessary steps to ensure that the vessel fully complies with the requirements of the Act, the rules and the applicable conventions and the Principal Officer may arrange for a re-inspection only after the owner or manager or recognised organisation certify that the vessel meets the said
• The re-inspection under sub-rule (2) shall be a full inspection of the vessel and not limited only to deficiencies.

 

 

17. Notification of — (1) Where an Indian vessel is detained by the field authority, the Principal Officer or inspector shall, –
    • inform the master and company of the vessel of such detention;
    • direct the local port authority that such vessel shall not proceed to sea; and
    • inform the national authority and the recognised organisation immediately, providing details of the deficiencies and conditions of detention.

(2) The Director-General may depute additional surveyors or auditors or institute an inquiry to ascertain the circumstances which led to the detention and direct the measures to be taken for improvement in flag State performance.

18.   Obligations of Indian vessels and companies subject to inspection in foreign ports—

(1) The owner or manager of any Indian vessel which is subjected to Port State Control inspection by a foreign port State authority shall–

• ensure that a copy of any Port State Control inspection report issued by a foreign port State authority is forwarded to national authority on priority;
• within seven working days of the completion of a Port State Control inspection in a foreign port, upload the inspection report in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System.

(2) If an Indian vessel is detained by a port State control authority in a foreign port, the owner or manager shall notify the Port State Control-Flag State Implementation Branch of the Director-General immediately and, in any case, not later than twenty-four hours from the time of detention with all relevant details.

19. Corrective and preventive actions after port State control detentions abroad. — (1) Where an Indian vessel is detained in a foreign port, the owner, manager and master shall rectify all detainable deficiencies identified by the foreign port State without any delay, and a comprehensive inspection shall be undertaken to bring the vessel in full compliance before inviting the Port State Control Officer for re-inspection.

(2) If a vessel’s inspection is suspended by a foreign port State authority, then before offering the vessel for re-inspection, the company shall ensure that the following steps are taken, namely: —

• a comprehensive inspection of the vessel may be conducted by a qualified superintendent of the company or by the recognised organisation that issued the vessel’s certificates on behalf of India;
• an additional Safety Management System audit may, if required, be carried out on the directions of the national authority by a recognised organisation, and any non-conformity found shall be addressed and cleared;
• all deficiencies noted by the port State’s inspection are fully rectified before the vessel is presented for re-inspection by the Port State Control;
• no additional condition of class shall be issued on the vessel after detention without the prior knowledge and concurrence of the Director-General;

 

 

• the Director-General may impose additional audits or operational restrictions until confidence in the vessel’s compliance is restored.
• the vessel shall be offered for re-inspection or be moved to a repair yard or alternative port for re-inspection only upon compliance with the provisions of this sub-rule.

20. Appeals against foreign detention. — (1) If the owner or operator of an Indian vessel is aggrieved with the detention by a foreign port State authority, on the ground that the circumstances of the detention were unwarranted or beyond the requirements of the conventions, the owner may, with the concurrence of the Director-General, appeal against such detention in accordance with the laws of the port State.

• An appeal under sub-rule (1) shall be made within the time frame specified by the detaining authority’s national law or by the applicable Port Sate Control Memorandum of Understanding governing the port State.
• Nothing in this rule shall prejudice the right of the vessel owner to seek compensation or any legal remedy available under the foreign state’s laws if a detention is found to be
• The Director-General shall keep records of all detentions of Indian vessels and the outcomes of any appeals for continuous improvement of flag State performance.

CHAPTER III PORT STATE CONTROL

21. Application of this Chapter. — Unless otherwise expressly provided, the provisions of this Chapter shall apply to—
    • any vessel, other than an Indian vessel to which the relevant conventions apply, when such vessel is within a port, terminal, anchorages, port facilities, Indian offshore facilities or the territorial waters of India, and is engaged in a vessel-port interface or is otherwise in Indian jurisdiction;
    • only those provisions of the conventions and other instruments listed in Schedule – III which are in force and to which India is a party through ratification or accession, such that India is bound to enforce their requirements as a port State; and
    • all Port State Control inspections carried out under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, as applicable to India.
22. No more favourable treatment for non-Parties. — (1) No more favourable treatment shall be given to vessels entitled to fly the flag of a State which is not a party to a relevant convention, than is accorded to vessels flying the flag of a State that is a party to that

(2) The non-Party vessels shall be subject to equivalent inspections and must meet an equivalent level of safety, security and environmental protection as required of vessels to which the relevant conventions apply.

23. Vessels to which relevant conventions do not apply. — (1) Any certificates or other documents issued by or on behalf of the flag State administration for vessels which are of a tonnage, type, or service not covered under the relevant conventions or are below the applicable

 

 

thresholds of such conventions shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of compliance during a Port State Control inspection.

• The scope of the inspections under sub-rule (1) shall primarily be to verify that the vessel’s condition and operations are consistent with the safety, pollution prevention, and security standards stated in those certificates or documents.
• Notwithstanding that the relevant conventions do not apply to a vessel by virtue of its small size or particular nature under this rule, the Port State Control Officer shall, –
  • assess whether the vessel is of an acceptable standard of safety and pollution prevention, taking into account factors such as the vessel’s size, age, type, service and area of operation, the equipment provided, the nature of cargo carried, and the length and nature of its voyage; and
  • ensure that such a vessel shall not pose a threat to the vessel, its personnel, or the

24. Exemptions, equivalents, and alternative design arrangements. — (1) While carrying out Port State Control inspections, Port State Control Officer shall accept the specific exemptions, equivalent arrangements or alternative design and arrangements granted to a vessel under various conventions by the flag State.

• Where a vessel holds a valid exemption certificate or documentary evidence of an equivalence or alternative design and arrangements referred to in sub-rule (1) the Port State Control Officer shall accept that the vessel complies with the related requirements of that
• In case of any doubt as to the authenticity or validity of an exemption, equivalence or alternative design approval, the Port State Control Officer may seek clarification from the vessel’s flag State administration or refer the flag State’s published information, before taking any action.
• The Port State Control Officer shall not detain or penalise the vessel until the clarification referred to in sub-rule (3) is obtained, unless the issue in question presents an immediate

25. Compliance with international procedures. — (1) The Director-General shall conduct Port State Control inspections in accordance with the guidelines and procedures established in the Port State Control Procedures Manual of the Memorandum of Understanding and the applicable International Maritime Organisation resolutions on procedures for Port State

(2) The Port State Control Officers shall adhere to the inspection standards, routines, methodologies and obligations set forth in the international instruments, in so far as they are not inconsistent with the Act and these rules.

26. Oversight and internal control. — (1) The field authorities shall be responsible for administering Port State Control inspections within their areas.

• The national authority shall maintain oversight of the entire Port State Control inspections regime and act as the coordinating and appellate authority.
• Any disagreements or disputes arising from the Port State Control inspections may be referred to the national authority for resolution.

 

 

27. Targeting of vessels for — Port State Control inspections shall be carried out on visiting foreign vessels based on the following priorities and information, namely: —
    • vessels identified as high risk ships or standard risk ships according to their ship risk profile as determined by the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System of the Memorandum of Understanding or any targeting mechanism adopted under such Memorandum of Understanding, shall be inspected as a high priority, whereas low risk ships may be subject to less frequent inspections in line with the regional procedures;
    • vessels which are the subject of a request or notification by another port State or any coastal State or flag State regarding deficiencies or suspected non-compliance, if bound for or in an Indian port, may be selected for inspection as deemed necessary;
    • vessels for which information or a complaint has been provided by the vessel’s crew, a professional body, an association, a trade union or any other person or organisation with a legitimate interest in the safety and security of the vessel, the welfare of its crew and passengers, or the protection of the marine environment, shall be investigated through inspection if it presents reasonable grounds;
    • vessels reported by a pilot or by a port authority as having deficiencies or anomalies that may pose a risk to safety or the environment shall be considered clear grounds for a focused or expanded inspection of the vessel;
    • any vessel at the specific direction of the field authority or at the direction of the national authority, when such direction is given based on emerging safety or security concerns, incidents or the need to conduct concentrated inspection campaigns or accident

Explanation. – For the purposes of this rule, –

• “clear grounds” means evidence that the condition of a vessel, its equipment, or its crew does not substantially meet the requirements of the relevant conventions, or that the master or crew are not familiar with essential shipboard safety, security, or pollution prevention procedures;
• “ship risk profile” means the classification assigned to a vessel in the Computerised Information System under the memorandum of understanding, based on the vessel’s performance record over the preceding thirty-six months and where vessels are classified as high risk ships, standard risk ships, or low risk ships according to criteria such as type and age of vessel, flag State performance, recognised organisation performance, company performance, and the vessel’s Port State Control inspection history.

28. Types of Port State Control — The nature and extent of a Port State Control inspection shall be as specified in Schedule – IV.
29. Conduct of operational tests and drills. — The Port State Control Officer may require operational tests or drills similar to those in flag State inspections to assess the crew and vessel’s preparedness:

Provided that no test or drill shall be conducted if the master objects on the grounds that it would compromise immediate safety.

30. Reporting after inspection. — (1) On completion of a Port State Control inspection, the Port State Control Officer shall prepare a detailed inspection report in the format specified in

 

 

Schedule-V and shall be uploaded in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System and a printed or electronic copy of the inspection report shall be provided to the master for vessel’s records, which shall be acknowledged by the master’s signature.

(2) If due to technical issues or remote location, the Port State Control Officer is not able to directly upload the report online, he shall make a report manually in accordance with Schedule-V and the report shall then be entered in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System at the earliest.

31. Follow up and re-inspection under Port State Control. — (1) Upon completion of inspection, if the owner or master informs that the required corrective actions have been taken, the Port State Control Officer or another officer authorised by the field authority shall, without undue delay and with minimal impact on the vessel’s schedule, carry out a re-inspection to verify rectification of the deficiencies.

• The field authority shall ensure that authorised Port State Control Officer are available at short notice for such re-inspections, particularly if a vessel’s sailing or cargo operations are being held up pending verification of rectifications.
• In cases where port operational constraints necessitate shifting a vessel detained or under repair for deficiencies, from a berth to anchorage or another location, the port authorities may do so under supervision and with the concurrence of the jurisdictional Principal Officer, subject to any safety measures specified by him.
• If a vessel was allowed to sail with deficiencies rectifiable within a period as specified in Form B of Schedule – V, and the vessel calls at an Indian port for the purpose of clearing such deficiencies, the Port State Control Officer shall promptly undertake the follow-up inspection to verify whether the previously noted deficiencies have been rectified without causing undue delay to the vessel’s schedule.

32. Detention of foreign vessels. — (1) Upon inspection or otherwise, if it is found that the condition of a foreign vessel or its crew or its operation fails to comply with the requirements of the applicable conventions creating a situation of danger to life, property or the marine environment, the field authority, may provisionally detain the vessel and the vessel shall be prevented from sailing until necessary actions are taken to remove the hazards.

• Where a vessel is provisionally detained by the field authority, a detention order shall be issued to the master in the format specified in Schedule – VI, clearly stating that the vessel is detained under the authority of the Central Government and list the grounds for the detention and a copy of such order shall immediately be communicated to the national authority, vessel’s owner or operator and the recognised organisation responsible for the vessel’s certification.
• The ground for detention under this rule shall be guided by the criteria of the International Maritime Organisation Port State Control procedures and the Memorandum of Understanding
• A release order as per Schedule – VII shall be given once the vessel is deemed fit to

33. Suspension of inspection. — (1) If a Port State Control Officer finds a foreign vessel in an extraordinarily poor state due to numerous serious deficiencies across the board, indicating a breakdown of the vessel’s maintenance or management such that continuing a normal inspection is futile, he may, with the consent of the jurisdictional Principal Officer, suspend the inspection and report the vessel as unseaworthy or substandard and notify the master in writing about such suspension.

 

 

• Upon suspension under sub-rule (1), the vessel’s flag state administration or its recognised organisation shall take necessary steps to ensure that the vessel fully complies with the requirements of the applicable conventions and the jurisdictional Principal Officer may arrange for a re-inspection only after the vessel’s flag state administration or its recognised organisation certify that the vessel meets the said requirements.
• The re-inspection under sub-rule (2) shall be a full inspection of the vessel and not limited only to deficiencies.

34. Notification of — (1) Where a vessel is detained or an inspection is suspended under rule 33, the Port State Control Officer through the field authority shall notify, –
    • the flag State administration of the vessel;
    • the consul or diplomatic representative of the flag State in India;
    • the local port authority that such vessel shall not proceed to sea; and
    • the recognised organisation that has issued class or statutory certificates for the vessel and the national authority.

(2) Such notification should include the reasons for detention and, where relevant, the measures required for the vessel’s release.

35. Vessels with accidental damage or force majeure — (1) If a vessel arrives at an Indian port directly as a result of distress or an emergency or to seek refuge after suffering accidental damage at sea or in port, the Port State Control authority may conduct an inspection for assessing the vessel’s fitness to continue its voyage safely.

(2) The Port State Control Officer shall not detain the vessel for deficiencies directly caused by the accident if the master or company, prior to or on entering the port, has–

• notified the relevant authorities of the incident; and
• informed the flag State:

Provided that this rule shall not apply where there is clear evidence of negligence or the vessel would present an unreasonable danger if it were to sail.

36. Disclaimer to — (1) The Port State Control Officer shall provide the master with a detailed inspection report outlining all identified deficiencies.

• In the event of detention, the Port State Control Officer shall recommend that the vessel arrange a thorough examination by the flag State or the relevant recognised organisation before requesting a re-inspection by the port State.
• The Port State Control Officer shall inform the master, –
  • of the vessel’s right to appeal in the event of a detention; and
  • that a Port State Control inspection is a sampling inspection and the deficiencies recorded by the Port State Control Officer may not be exhaustive.

CHAPTER IV MISCELLANEOUS

37. Survey and certification by recognised organisation. — Recognised organisations performing surveys, audits, and issuing certificates on behalf of the Government of India for the purposes of these rules shall carry out such duties in accordance with the agreement or instrument of authorisation executed between the Government and the recognised organisation and in line with the applicable International Maritime Organisation Instruments (including International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, Load Line, etc., and the Code for Recognised Organisation).
38. Reporting by recognised organisations. — (1) Recognised organisations shall provide access to their database and submit periodic reports of Indian vessels to the national authority regarding the surveys, audits and inspections carried out by the recognised organisation, at the frequency and in format as specified by the national authority.

• A recognised organisation shall promptly report to the national authority, if during any inspection, it finds a vessel not fit to proceed to sea or to continue operations without risk.
• Recognised organisations shall also promptly inform the Director-General of any accident, incident or occurrence on an Indian vessel which comes to their knowledge, having implications for safety or pollution prevention.

39. Monitoring of recognised organisations by Director-General. — The Director-General shall monitor and conduct audits of the recognised organisations acting on its behalf and ensure that they carry out their duties as required by the International Maritime Organisation Recognised Organisation Code and the applicable laws, including —
    • periodic audits of the recognised organisations’ offices and processes, at such intervals as specified by the Director-General, to verify that the recognised organisation is performing surveys and certifications in conformity with the authorisation;
    • review of recognised organisation performance indicators including detention rates of Indian vessels surveyed by each recognised organisation, number of deficiencies reported, :

Provided that if any recognised organisation is identified as having relatively poor performance, the national authority shall direct the recognised organisation to take corrective measures or, if warranted, withdraw authorisation of their services under section 9 of the Act.

40. Banning of substandard vessels. — (1) If a foreign flag vessel has been detained more than once within a period of less than twelve months in Indian ports or found to consistently present serious deficiencies indicating a pattern of substandard operation, the Director-General may ban that vessel from entering India’s ports, terminals, anchorages, port facilities or offshore facilities or the territorial waters, permanently or for a specified period of time.

• Where a vessel is banned, the Director-General shall issue a notice to the master, owner, and flag State of the vessel, as well as to all Port authorities and relevant agencies as applicable in India, informing that the vessel is refused access to Indian ports, terminals, anchorages, port facilities or offshore facilities or the territorial waters.

 

 

• The notice issued under sub-rule (2) shall also contain the conditions, if any for lifting the

41. Annual review. — (1) The national authority shall conduct an annual review of the Port State Control and Flag State Implementation regimes which shall include analysis of inspection data and key performance indicators such as number of inspections, deficiencies, detentions, detentions of Indian vessels abroad, and any incidents.

• The review shall also assess the performance of Port State Control Officers and Flag State Inspectors and identify areas for their improvement, and evaluate whether the targeting criteria and inspection frequencies are being effectively implemented.
• The outcome of such reviews shall be documented as an annual report to be published by the Director-General for the information of all stakeholders.

42. Training and qualifications. — (1) The national authority shall ensure that all Port State Control Officers and flag State Inspectors undergo applicable initial training and receive periodic refresher training and participate in exchange programs or joint inspections to harmonise practices.

• A system of competency building shall be maintained to ensure that only those who meet the qualifications specified in Schedule – I are designated as Port State Control Officers or Flag State Inspectors.
• The national authority may revoke or suspend authorisations if an Inspector is found lacking in performance or integrity.

43. Power to exempt vessels from these rules. — (1) The Director-General may, with the prior approval of the Central Government and in conformity with the provisions of section 300 of the Act, exempt any foreign vessel or category of vessels from any specific requirement under these rules, in whole or in part, subject to such conditions as deemed appropriate.

• Such exemption shall be granted only if it is satisfied that granting the exemption shall not contravene any of India’s obligations under international conventions and that the vessel in question provides an equivalent level of safety and environmental protection by other means.
• Any such exemption granted shall be documented and may be revoked at any time if the conditions attached are not fulfilled or if the reasons for granting it ceases to apply.

44. Obligations of foreign vessels in Indian — (1) Every foreign flag vessel that enters a port or place in India or is within Indian territorial waters, shall comply with all the requirements as specified by the Director-General or any other competent authority of the Central Government or State Government which may include providing advance notice of arrival, details of certificates and crew list, records of discharges under International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, security information as per the International Ship and Port Facility Code, any serious defects of hull or machinery and any other particulars relevant to Port State Control.

• During its stay in port, the vessel shall comply with applicable Indian laws and regulations including pollution control measures, customs and immigration laws, etc.
• Failure to provide required information or providing false information shall be liable to penalties under the Act.

 

 

45. Power to issue directions and — Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, the Director-General may issue administrative directions, circulars, or guidelines to any vessel, owner, operator, company, port authority, recognised organisation or persons subject to the Act, in order to give effect to the provisions of relevant international conventions or these rules.
46. Fees and — Every owner or operator of a vessel shall be liable to pay fees, costs and charges for inspections and related services under these rules, as specified in Schedule – XI.
47. — Whoever fails to comply with any provision of these rules including the following, shall be liable to such penalties as specified in the Act, namely: –
    • obstructing or hindering a Port State Control Officer or Flag State Inspector in the execution of their duties;
    • sailing a vessel without rectifying deficiencies when required to do so;
    • providing false or misleading information to
48. Appellate authority. — (1) Any person aggrieved by any action taken under these rules may prefer an appeal in writing before the national authority within thirty days from such

• The national authority shall hear the appeal and pass an order within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of the appeal.
• No such order shall be passed under these rules unless the parties have been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

 

Schedule – I

[See rules 3(2) and 42(2)]

Qualification and Experience for Flag State Inspector and PSCO

 

 

1. Qualification and experience for Flag State Inspector—
   1. Appointed as a ‘surveyor’ under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025).
   2. Certified as a chief engineer, master mariner or a naval architect employed with the Government of India on a regular basis.
   3. Radio Surveyor or Inspector can only assist qualified Flag State Inspector for radio related
   4. The officer should have conducted at least ten FSI inspections satisfactorily under a qualified Flag State Inspector.
   5. The qualification record along with recommendation by the principal officer of the district concerned to be forwarded to the chief surveyor for approval.
   6. Re-qualification of the authorised flag state inspector is required if the officer has not carried out at least two Flag State Inspection in a calendar year.
   7. Such officer is to get re-qualified by conducting at least two FSI under an authorized Flag State Inspector and on satisfactory completion of the same the authorization to be renewed by the concerned jurisdictional principal officer.
   8. The requalification requirements are not applicable to principal officers, deputy chief surveyors, deputy nautical advisors and deputy chief ship surveyors.

B.  Qualification and experience for Port State Control Officer—

1. Appointed as a ‘surveyor’ under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025(24 of 2025).
2. Certified as a chief engineer, master mariner or a naval architect employed with the Government of India on a regular basis.
3. Radio Surveyor or Inspector can only assist qualified Port State Control Inspector for radio related inspections.
4. The officer should have been a qualified Flag State Inspector for a period of at least six months and has a minimum of one year experience as flag state surveyor.
5. The officer should have completed at least ten Flag State inspections as an authorized Flag State Inspector and satisfactorily carried out at least ten Port State Control inspections under a qualified Port State Control Officer.
6. The qualification record along with recommendation by the principal officer of the district concerned to be forwarded to the chief surveyor for approval.
7. Re-qualification of the authorised Port State Control Officer is required if the officer has not carried out at least two Port State Control inspections in a calendar year.
8. Such officer is to get re-qualified by conducting at least two Port State Control inspections under an authorised Port State Control Officer and on satisfactory completion of the same the authorization to be renewed by the concerned jurisdictional principal officer.
9. The requalification requirements are not applicable to principal officers, deputy chief surveyors, deputy nautical advisors and deputy chief ship surveyors.

 

 

Schedule – II [See rule 3(4)] Identity Card

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IDENTITY CARD

FOR PORT STATE CONTROL OFFICERS AND FLAG STATE INSPECTORS

 

 

1. The identity card shall contain at least the following information, namely: —

 

• name of issuing authority;
• full name of the holder of the identity card;
• an up-to-date picture of the holder of the identity card;
• the signature of the holder of the identity card;
• a statement to the effect that the holder of the identity card is authorised to carry out inspections in accordance with national legislation.

 

2. In case the main language used on the identity card is not English, it must include a translation into that language.

 

3. The format of the identity card is left to the discretion of the jurisdictional principal officer, Mercantile Marine Department.

 

 

Schedule – III [See rule 21(b)]

List of relevant conventions.

• the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS 1974);
• the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS PROT 1988);
• the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as amended (LL1966);
• the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as amended (LL PROT 1988);
• the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the 1978 and 1997 Protocols, as amended (MARPOL);
• the International    Convention    on   Standards   of   Training,        Certification             and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW 1978);
• the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969, as amended (TONNAGE 1969);
• the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS 2001);
• the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended (COLREG 1972);
• the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 (CLC 1969);
• the Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, as amended (CLC PROT 1992);
• the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (BUNKERS 2001);
• the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004, as amended (BWM 2004); and
• the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007(NAIROBI WRC 2007),
• the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006;
• the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships(2009).

 

 

Schedule – IV [See rule 28]

Types of Port State Control Inspections

 

• Initial inspection – An initial inspection includes visual observations of the vessel’s structure and facilities and may include a walk-through of key areas. The inspection to be carried out on board a vessel includes checking the validity of the relevant certificates and other documents, the overall condition of the vessel, its equipment and its crew. During the inspection if there is evidence that the vessel, its equipment, or its crew do not correspond substantially with the requirements of the relevant conventions or that the master or crew members are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to the safety of vessels or the prevention of pollution a more detailed inspection has to be carried out.
• More detailed inspection– A more detailed inspection has to be carried out whenever there are clear grounds during the initial inspection and the grounds exist when a Port State Control Officer finds evidence, which warrants a more detailed inspection of the vessel, its equipment or its crew. A more detailed inspection shall include an in-depth examination in the area(s) where clear grounds were established, the areas relevant to any overriding or unexpected factors and will take account of the human elements covered by International Labour Organisation, International Safety Management Code and International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers and include operational controls as appropriate.
• Expanded inspection- An expanded inspection is broader in scope and depth, typically carried out on certain vessels with a higher risk profile (for example, aged oil tankers, gas or chemical tankers, bulk carriers, passenger vessels, or vessels with a history of detentions) or as required under the New Inspection Such inspections cover in detail at least the critical elements of vessel structure, machinery, navigation, life-saving, fire safety, environmental protection, and working and living conditions, as applicable. The High Risk Ships and ships more than fifteen years old are eligible for an expanded inspection which shall inter alia include a check of the overall condition, including the human element where relevant. Subject to their practical feasibility or any constraints relating to the safety of persons, the vessel or the port, verification of the specific items in the risk areas for each vessel type must be part of an expanded inspection. The Port State Control Officer must use professional judgement to determine the appropriate depth of examination or testing of each specific item.
• Concentrated inspection campaign – Concentrated inspection campaigns focus on specific areas where a higher risk of non-compliance could exist. All Port State Control Officers shall carry out concentrated inspection campaigns on the specified subject during the specified period as announced by the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding from time to time.

 

 

Schedule – V

[See rules 30 and 31(4)]

Format of Manual Port State Control Inspection Report

REPORT OF INSPECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

ON PORT STATE CONTROL IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION

 

FORM A

 

Name of Authority : Directorate General of Maritime Administration	Copy To : Master
Address : 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno-Campus,Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai400 042.	Head Office
	PSCO
Telephone : +91 22 25752040-43	If Ship is detained, copy to :
Facsimile : +91-22-25752029/35	Flag State
Email : psc-dgs@nic.in	Port Authority
Type of report : Initial / Follow Up	Recognised Organisation, if applicable

 

1. Reporting Authority : India	2. Name of Ship :
3. Flag of Ship:	4. Type of Ship:
5a. Call Sign :	5b. MMSI Number :
6. IMO Number :	7. Gross Tonnage :
8. Deadweight (where applicable ) :	9. Date Keel Laid :
10. Date of Inspection :	11. Place of Inspection :
12. Recognised Organisation :	13. Date of release from detention** :
14a. IMO Company Number :	14b. Particulars of Company :
15. Name and Signature of Master to certify that the information under 14b is correct:
Name:	Signature:
16. Details of Ship Certificates :

 

SN.	a. Title	b. Issuing Authority	c. Date of Issue	d. Date of Expiry	e. Information on last intermediate or annual survey
					Date	Surveying Authority	Place

 

 

17. Deficiencies :	18. Ship Detained ***: Yes/No
19. Supporting Documentation	20. PSC inspection action taken :

 

Issuing Office :	Name :
Telephone :	Signature :
Facsimile :

This report must be retained on board for a period of two years and must be available for consultation by port State control officers at all times.

* This inspection report has been issued solely for the purposes of informing the master and the port States that an inspection by the port State, mentioned in the heading, has taken place. This inspection report cannot be construed as a seaworthiness certificate in excess of the certificate the ship is required to carry.

** To be completed in the event of a detention and Guidelines of the responsibility assessment of the Recognised Organisation(RO).

*** Masters, shipowners and/or operators are advised that detailed information on a detention may be subject to future publication.                                                                                                                

APPELLATE AUTHORITY: 1. psc-dgs@nic.in;, 2. cs-dgs@nic.in

FORM B

 

Name of Authority : Directorate General of Maritime Administration	Copy To : Master
Address : 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno-Campus,Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai400 042.	Head Office
	PSCO
Telephone : +91 22 25752040-43	If Ship is detained, copy to :
Facsimile : +91-22-25752029/35	Flag State
Email : psc-dgs@nic.in	IMO
Type of report : Initial / Follow Up	Recognised Organisation, if applicable

 

1. Name of Ship	2. IMO Number
3. Date of Inspection :	4. Place of Inspection :

 

20.No.	21.Code	Nature of Deficiency*	Deficiency Description	Convention Reference **	22.Action Taken ***	23.Responsible RO**

 

Issuing Office :	Name :
Telephone :	Signature :
Facsimile :

 

This report must be retained on board for period two years and must be available for

consultation by Port State Control Officers at all times.                                                                                                                                               

 

* This inspection was not a full survey and deficiencies listed may not be exhaustive. In the event of a detention. It is recommended that full survey is carried out and all deficiencies are rectified before an application for re-inspection is made.

 

 

** To be completed in the event of a detention and Guidelines of the responsibility assessment of the Recognised Organisation(RO).

Reverse Side of Form B Codes For Action Taken***

 

Sr. No.	Deficiency Action Code	Deficiency Action Name
	10	Deficiency Rectified.
	15	Rectify Deficiency at next port.
	16	Rectify Deficiency within 14 days.
	17	Rectify Deficiency before departure.
	18	Rectify Deficiency within 3 months.
	21	Corrective action taken on the ISM system by the Company is required within 3 months
	30	Detainable deficiency.
	46	Rectify detainable deficiency at agreed repair port
	48	As in the agreed flag state condition
	49	As in the agreed Rectification Action Plan
	99	Other (Specify)

 

 

 

 

APPELLATE AUTHORITY: 1. psc-dgs@nic.in;, 2. cs-dgs@nic.in

 

 

 

Schedule – VI [See rule 32(2)]

Format of Detention Order for PSC

 

Detention Order

 

 

Detention Order No. ……………….

Date: ……………………..

 

 

Name of Ship	IMO	Port of Registry	Present Location	Name of Master
			PORT

 

Vessel              , IMO No.               , was inspected in accordance with                     MOU Port State   Inspection    Procedures    adopted   by    the    surveyors    from    this            department  on

…………………. At…………………… The inspection team has reported deficiencies rendering

the vessel to be categorized as ‘Un-seaworthy’ within the meaning of Sect. 278 of Merchant Shipping Act 2025 (24 of 2025).

In exercise of the powers vested under section 307 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025) the Principal Officer, MERCANTILE MARINE DEPARTMENT,                                                                                             , hereby orders the provisional DETENTION of Vessel    , IMO No.                                                                                          ,”under Port State Control, subject to the “Note” below:

Note:-

_ _ _ (name of the ship), _ _ _ _ IMO No_____ is thus detained and not allowed to sail out of

the port limits of _ _ _ (name of the port)______ without permission from this office. Unless

otherwise informed explicitly the vessel has to carry out all necessary repairs in consultation with the classification / Flag state, comply with the rule requirements as per the applicable International Standards and presented for re-inspection to a surveyor from this department, or as intimated otherwise.

Encl:- PSC Report (Form A & B)

Name……………………………………………

 

Signature…………………………………………

 

Copy to- (where applicable)

Date………………………………………………

….

 

1. The Master (to also ensure that owners / Agent / RO is informed forth with);
2. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration, (PSC Branch);
3. Owners / Agent;
4. Flag State Administration;

 

 

5. The Conservator/ Concerned Port Authority;
6. The Commissioner of Customs;
7. Indian Coast Guard;
8. Classification Society (RO);
9. Embassy/ Consulate;
10. A g e n t s .

 

NOTE: – The Master of the vessel has the “right of appeal” against this order.

Appellate Authority: cs-dgs@nic.in; psc-dgs@nic.in

 

 

Release Order Reporting office:

Schedule – VII [See rule 32(4)]

Format of Release Order for PSC

 

PSC Release Order No………………….	Date : ………………
PSC Detention Order No. ……………….	Date: ……………………………………….

 

Name of Ship	IMO	Port of Registry	Present Location	Name of Master

 

“”, IMO No……………………. was detained by this office on………………………. , in view of serious deficiencies

observed on the vessel and was advised to carry out all necessary repairs in consultation with Flag State / Recognised Organisation (RO) of the vessel.

This is to confirm that subsequent to the re-inspection of the vessel by this department on………………….. Principal

Officer, MMD,……………… , in exercise of the power vested under section 307 of the Merchant Shipping Act,

2025 (24 of 2025), hereby orders the release of “”, IMO No………………..

Thus “……………..”, IMO No……………………. is permitted to sail out subject to the following conditions if any

(if no conditions apply, please state NIL) from the port of…………………….. subject to the following conditions:-

 

 

1.

2.

3.

 

 

Date…………………………

 

 

Name………………………………………………

Signature…………………………………………….

 

 

 

 

Copy to- (where applicable)

Encl:- PSC Report (Form A & B) Name

……………………………………… Signature…………………

Date…………

 

11. The Master (to also ensure that owners / Agent / RO is informed forth with);
12. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration, (PSC Branch);
13. Owners / Agent;
14. Flag State Administration;
15. The Conservator DPA;
16. The Commissioner of Customs;
17. Indian Coast Guard;
18. Classification Society (RO);
19. Embassy/ Consulate;

 

 

Schedule – VIII [See rule 13(2)]

Format of Manual Flag State Inspection Report

 

REPORT OF INSPECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (PORT STATE CONTROL AND FLAG STATE IMPLEMENTATION) RULES, 2026

 

FORM A

 

Name of Authority : Directorate General of Maritime Administration	Copy To : Master
	DGMA
Address : 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno-Campus,Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai400 042.	PO, MMD
	If Ship is detained, copy to :
Telephone : +91 22 25752040-43	DGMA
Facsimile : +91-22-25752029/35	Recognised Organisation,if applicable
Email : psc-dgs@nic.in	Port Authority
Type of report : Initial / Follow Up

 

1. Reporting MMD Office :	2. Name of Ship :
3. Flag of Ship: INDIA	4. Type of Ship:
5a. Call Sign :	5b. MMSI Number :
6. IMO Number :	7. Gross Tonnage :
8. Deadweight (where applicable ) :	9. Date Keel Laid :
10. Date of Inspection :	11. Place of Inspection :
12. Recognised Organisation :	13. Date of release from detention** :
14a. IMO Company Number :	14b. Particulars of Company :
15. Name and Signature of Master to certify that the information under 14b is correct:
Name:	Signature:
16. Details of Ship Certificates :

 

SN.	a. Title	b. Issuing Authority	c. Date of Issue	d. Date of Expiry	e. Information on last intermediate or annual survey
					Date	Surveying Authority	Place

 

 

 

17. Deficiencies :	18. Ship Detained ***: Yes/No
19. Supporting Documentation

 

Issuing Office :	Name :
Telephone :	Signature :
Facsimile :

This report must be retained on board for a period of two years and must be available for consultation by Flag State Inspectors at all times.

** To be completed in the event of a detention.

*** Masters, shipowners and/or operators are advised that detailed information on a detention may be subject to future publication.                                                                                                                

APPELLATE AUTHORITY: 1. psc-dgs@nic.in;, 2. cs-dgs@nic.in

FORM B

 

Name of Authority : Directorate General of Maritime Administration	Copy To : Master
Address : 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno-Campus,Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai400 042.	Head Office
	PSCO
Telephone : +91 22 25752040-43	If Ship is detained, copy to :
Facsimile : +91-22-25752029/35	Flag State
Email : psc-dgs@nic.in	IMO
Type of report : Initial / Follow Up	Recognised Organisation, if applicable

 

1. Name of Ship	2. IMO Number
3. Date of Inspection :	4. Place of Inspection :

 

 

5.No.	6.Code	Nature of Deficiency*	Deficiency Description	Convention Reference **	7.Action Taken ***

 

 

 

 

Issuing Office :	Name :
Telephone :	Signature :
Facsimile :

 

This report must be retained on board for period two years and must be available for

consultation by Flag State Inspectors at all times.                                                                                                                                               

 

* This inspection was not a full survey and deficiencies listed may not be exhaustive. In the event of a detention. It is recommended that full survey is carried out and all deficiencies are rectified before an application for re-inspection is made.

 

** To be completed in the event of a detention.

Reverse Side of Form B Codes For Action Taken***

 

Sr. No.	Deficiency Action Code	Deficiency Action Name
	10	Deficiency Rectified.
	15	Rectify Deficiency at next port.
	16	Rectify Deficiency within 14 days.
	17	Rectify Deficiency before departure.
	18	Rectify Deficiency within 3 months.
	21	Corrective action taken on the ISM system by the Company is required within 3 months
	30	Detainable deficiency.
	46	Rectify detainable deficiency at agreed repair port
	48	As in the agreed flag state condition
	49	As in the agreed Rectification Action Plan
	99	Other (Specify)

 

 

 

 

APPELLATE AUTHORITY: 1. psc-dgs@nic.in;, 2. cs-dgs@nic.in

 

 

 

Schedule – IX [See rule 15(2)]

Format of Detention Order for FSI

 

Detention Order

 

Detention Order No. ……………….

Date: ……………………..

 

Name of Ship	IMO	Port of Registry	Present Location	Name of Master

 

Vessel                , IMO No.                , was inspected in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Port State Control and Flag State Implementation) Rules, 2026 adopted by the surveyors from this department on …………………. At………………. The inspection team has reported deficiencies rendering the vessel to be categorised as ‘unseaworthy’ within the meaning of section 278 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025).

In exercise of the powers vested under section 307 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025) the Principal Officer, MERCANTILE MARINE DEPARTMENT,            , hereby orders the provisional DETENTION of Vessel                                                    , IMO No.           ,”under Flag State Inspection Procedures , subject to the “Note” below:

Note:-

As per the requirements of section 307 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025(24 of 2025), Vessel………………………. of

INDIA, IMO No……………………………. is not allowed to operate and sail from the port of on account of the detainable

deficiencies noted during the Flag State Inspection of the vessel by the Surveyor of this department on

…………………. Unless otherwise informed explicitly the vessel has to carry out all necessary repairs in consultation

with the classification / Flag State, comply with the rule requirements as per the applicable provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and be presented for re-inspection to a surveyor from this department, or as intimated otherwise.

Encl:- FSI Report (Form A & B)                                                                        .

 

Copy to- (where applicable)

Authorised authority

Principal Officer-Cum-Joint DG (Tech) Mercantile Marine Department,……………

 

1. The Master (to also ensure that owners / Agent / RO is informed forth with);
2. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration, (PSC Branch);
3. Owners / Agent ;
4. The Conservator/ Concerned Port Authority;
5. Classification Society (RO);
6. A g e n t s .

 

NOTE: The Master of the vessel has the “right of appeal” against this order Appellate Authority : cs-dgs@nic.in; psc-dgs@nic.in

 

 

Schedule – X [See rule 15(3)]

Format of Release Order for FSI

Release Order

 

Reporting office:

 

FSI Release Order No………………….	Date : ………………
FSI Detention Order No. ……………….	Date: ……………………………………….

 

 

Name of Ship	IMO	Port of Registry	Present Location	Name of Master

 

“”, IMO No……………………. was detained by this office on…………………… , in view of

serious deficiencies observed on the vessel and was advised to carry out all necessary repairs in consultation with Owners/Managers / Recognised Organisation (RO) of the vessel.

This is to confirm that subsequent to the re-inspection of the vessel by this department on

……………. Principal Officer, MMD,…………… , in exercise of the power vested under

section 307 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025), hereby Orders the release of

“”, IMO No………………..

Thus “……………..”, IMO No……………….. is permitted to sail out subject to the following

conditions if any (if no conditions apply, please state NIL) from the port of……………… subject to the following conditions:-

1.

2.

3.

 

Authorized authority

Principal Officer-Cum-Joint DG (Tech) Mercantile Marine Department,

 

Copy to- (where applicable)

1. The Master (to also ensure that owners / Agent / RO is informed forth with);
2. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration, (PSC Branch);
3. Owners / Agent ;
4. The Conservator/ Concerned Port Authority;
5. Classification Society (RO);
6. A g e n t s .

 

NOTE: The Master of the vessel has the “right of appeal” against this order Appellate Authority : cs-dgs@nic.in; psc-dgs@nic.in

 

 

Schedule -XI [See rule 46]

 

Schedule of Fees and Costs for Flag State and Port State Control Inspections

 

S.No.	Items	Category	Fees/Costs(INR)
1.	Flag State Inspection (FSI) Fees	Initial Inspection	Rs.8,000/-
		Follow Up Inspection	Rs.5,000/-
2.	Indian ships detained under FSI and found with detainable deficiencies or evidence noticed at later date regarding employment of seafarers with fake documents.	Ships found in possession of forged statutory certificates including fake certificates of competency of seafarers.	Rs.16,50,000/-
		Ships found to be operating without safety/ pollution prevention certificates	Rs.12,00,000/-
3.	For survey of ships detained on account of major defects in hull/ machinery/equipment or on account of overloading or improper loading under FSI.	(i) Below 500 G.T.	Rs.22,500/-
		(ii) 500 G.T. and above but below 1000 G.T.	Rs. 37,500/-
		(iii) For every additional 1000 G.T. or part thereof.	Rs. 7,500/- subject to a maximum of Rs.2,40,000/-
4.	Port State Control (PSC) Follow up Inspection Fees	Fees for each Port State Control follow up inspection to verify rectification of deficiencies necessitating on board attendance	Rs. 5,000/-
5.	Inspection of Foreign Ships detained under PSC	Ships found in possession of forged statutory certificates including certificates of competency of seafarers.	Rs.16,50,000/-
		Ships found to be operating without or expired or invalid safety/ pollution prevention certificates	Rs.12,00,000/-
6.	Foreign Ships detained under PSC found sub-standard due to major hull, machinery and equipment deficiencies, necessitating suspension of inspection.	(i) Below 5000 G.T.	Rs.2,40,000/-
		(ii) Above 5000 GT	Rs.2,40,000/- plus Rs.37,500/- for every additional 1000 GT subject to maximum of Rs.12,00,000/-
7.	Foreign Ships detained under PSC found with detainable deficiencies necessitating detention including being	(i) Below 5000 G.T.	Rs.60,000/-
		(ii) Above 5000 GT	Rs.60,000/- plus Rs.12,000/- for

 

 

	detained on account of overloading or improper loading.		every additional 1000 GT subject to maximum of Rs.4,80,000/-
8.	Professional Charges for carrying out surveys, audits and inspections on Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays and before or beyond office hours	(i) Before 0930 AM and After 6 PM	Rs. 3,000/-
		(ii) Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays	Rs. 10,000/-

 

 

 

[F. No. SY-19014/199/2025-MG] VENKATESAPATHY S, Jt. Secy.

G.S.R. 672(E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 76, sub-section (1) of section 77, sub-section (1) and clause (e) of sub-section (1) of section 134, clause (c) of sub-section (1) and sub-section (2) of section 151, sub-section (1) and clause (f) of sub-section (2) of section 152, sub-section (1) and clauses (g), (h) and (i) of sub-section (2) of section 319 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely: —

 

 

CHAPTER I PRELIMINARY

1. Short title and commencement. — (1) These rules may be called the Merchant Shipping (Port State Control and Flag State Implementation) Rules, 2026.

(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

2. — (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, ––
   • “Act” means the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025);
   • “Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System” means the digital platform used by the Director-General or by the memorandum of understanding for targeting, reporting, recording and sharing Port State Control inspection data and vessel risk profiles;
   • “certification” includes the verification of the validity of all required certificates and other documents pertaining to a vessel, its company or port, with all requisite surveys completed and endorsed by the competent authority of the vessel’s flag State or recognised organisation of the flag State, and which shall be produced on demand;
   • “deficiency” means a condition found not to be in compliance with the requirements of the relevant convention;
   • “detention” means an intervention action taken by the port State when the condition of the vessel or its crew does not correspond substantially with the relevant conventions to ensure that the vessel will not sail until it can proceed to sea without presenting a danger to the vessel or persons on board, or without presenting an unreasonable threat of harm to the marine environment, whether or not such action will affect the normal schedule of the departure of the vessel;
   • “memorandum of understanding” means any regional Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control to which India is a party for carrying out Port State Control inspections, as per International Maritime Organisation Resolution 1185 (33) as amended from time to time;
   • “national authority” means the chief surveyor as may be appointed under sub-clause (ii) of clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Act for Port State Control and Flag State Implementation;

 

 

• “Port State Control” means the inspection of foreign vessels in India’s ports, terminals, anchorages, port facilities or offshore facilities or the territorial waters of India to verify that the condition of the vessel, its equipment, and its operation comply with the requirements of applicable international conventions and that the vessel is manned and operated in compliance with those conventions and with these rules;
• “Port State Control Officer” means a surveyor as may be appointed under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8 or under section 9 of the Act, authorised by the national authority to carry out Port State Control inspections and who acts under the responsibility of the Central Government for the purposes of these rules;
• “recognised organisation” means an organisation authorised by the respective flag State of the vessel to carry out statutory survey and certification on its behalf as per the Code for recognised organisations, as adopted by the organisation through Resolution 349(92) and MEPC.237(65), as amended from time to time;
• “substandard vessel” means a vessel whose hull, machinery, equipment, or operational safety is substantially below the standards required by the relevant conventions or whose crew or their certifications do not conform to the safe manning requirements and has one or any of the following characteristics, namely: –
  • absence of principal equipment or arrangements required by the conventions;
  • non-compliance of equipment or arrangements with the relevant specifications of the conventions;
  • substantial deterioration of the vessel or its equipment;
  • insufficiency of operational proficiency or unfamiliarity of the crew with essential operational procedures; or
  • insufficiency of manning or of valid certification of seafarers;
• “unsafe vessel” means a vessel, including an unseaworthy vessel, which—
  • poses a risk to safety of life; or
  • poses an unreasonable threat of harm to environment by reason of its safe manning, hull, machinery, equipment, training and working conditions of seafarers or operational safety being substantially below the required standards; or
  • poses an unreasonable threat to the safety and security of ports, terminals, anchorages, port facilities or offshore facilities or the territorial waters of India;
  • does not have the crew meeting the requirements of the relevant conventions, or that the master or crew are not familiar with essential shipboard safety, security, or pollution prevention procedures.

 

(2) Words and expressions used and not defined in these rules but defined in the Act, international conventions and Codes shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act or in the relevant international conventions and Codes, as the case may be.

3. Port State Control Officers and Flag State Inspectors.— (1) Port State Control Officers and Flag State Inspectors shall be authorised to carry out Port State Control inspections under these rules.

• The qualification and experience of the Port State Control Officers and Flag State Inspectors shall be as specified in Schedule – I.

 

 

• The Port State Control Officers and Flag State Inspectors authorised under sub-rule (1) shall conduct inspections only under the directions of the jurisdictional field authority referred to in rule 4.
• Every Port State Control Officer and Flag State Inspector shall carry an official identity card issued by the jurisdictional Principal Officer, Mercantile Marine Department, which shall meet the requirements specified in Schedule – II, including clear identification of the officer as Port State Control Officer or Flag State Inspector along with photograph and designation of the issuing authority and validity.

4. Field — (1) The Principal Officer of the Mercantile Marine Department for each port or region shall be the field authority responsible for all Port State Control inspections and Flag State inspections carried out under his jurisdiction.

• The field authority shall nominate and assign authorised Port State Control Officers or Flag State Inspectors to carry out Port State Control inspections and Flag State inspections, as applicable, on vessels arriving at ports, anchorages and offshore installations within its
• The field authority, upon being satisfied with the reports of Port State Control inspections or Flag State inspections, shall approve the reports and forward them to the national authority for final review and for uploading in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System, as required.
• The field authority shall be the designated detaining authority for vessels found to be substandard or unsafe or otherwise not in compliance with the provisions of the Act or applicable International Maritime Organisation Resolutions and Port State Control procedures:

Provided that no vessel shall be detained without the approval of the jurisdictional Principal Officer.

5. National authority. — (1) The national authority shall have overall responsibility for the uniform implementation of these rules throughout India.

• The national authority, upon receipt of the inspection reports forwarded by the field authorities under sub-rule (3) of rule 4, shall review and, if found satisfactory, approve the Port State Control or Flag State inspection reports for final uploading in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System and for any further action required at the national or international level.
• The national authority shall be responsible for –
  • approving and maintaining the list of surveyors authorised to carry out Port State Control and Flag State inspections in India; and
  • granting, suspending or withdrawing the authorisation of any Port State Control Officer or Flag State Inspector, based on performance, competence, or any misconduct, in accordance with the requirements of these rules and the Act.

 

CHAPTER II

FLAG STATE IMPLEMENTATION

6. Application of this — Unless otherwise expressly provided, the provisions of this Chapter shall apply to—
   • any vessel which is registered in India under the Act and any vessel required by the Act to be so registered, wherever the vessel may be operating;
   • all River-Sea Vessels and all Indian Coastal Vessels, irrespective of their tonnage or service category, to the extent that the safety, security, and pollution prevention provisions of the Act and rules made thereunder apply to them.
7. Relevant conventions and obligations. — (1) The implementation of Flag State implementation and inspection procedures under these rules for Indian vessels, companies, and recognised organisations shall be guided by India’s obligations under the international law and instruments, including —
   • Article 217 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982 which requires that a flag State ensure vessels flying its flag comply with applicable international rules and standards, and prescribes enforcement measures against vessels that violate such rules; and
   • Part II of the International Maritime Organisation Instruments Implementation Code (III Code) which provides the mandatory standards for Flag States in administering the safety and environmental provisions of the International Maritime Organisation conventions, including oversight of surveys, inspections, casualty investigations, and issuance of certificates.

(2) The Director-General shall establish and enforce a coherent system for Flag State inspections, audits, and related measures as specified in these rules, to meet or exceed the International Maritime Organisation Instruments Implementation Code standards.

8. Exemptions, equivalents, and alternative design. — (1) The Director-General, when so empowered or authorised under the Act, may grant specific exemptions from particular provisions of the Act or rules, allow equivalent solutions, or approve alternative design and arrangements for Indian vessels, in accordance with the provisions of the applicable conventions and the Act.

• When an exemption is granted to an Indian vessel or class of vessels or an equivalent or alternative design and arrangements is approved by the Director-General under sub-rule (1), the decision shall be documented by issuance of an exemption certificate or similar instrument:

Provided that where a vessel carries a valid exemption certificate or documentation of an approved equivalence or alternative issued by the Director-General or by a recognised organisation on its behalf, it shall be presumed that the vessel complies with such requirement.

• Where any doubt arises during a Flag State Inspection as to whether a particular exemption, equivalence or alternative design and arrangements has been authorised, the Flag State Inspector shall not impose sanctions for non-compliance on that item until verification is received from the national authority:

Provided that this sub-rule shall not apply where the situation poses an immediate hazard that warrants intervention.

 

 

9. Frequency of inspections.— (1) The Director-General shall determine the frequency of Flag State inspections after taking into account the vessel’s type, age, trading area, and Port State Control and Flag State Inspection performance:

Provided that if during the window specified for the scheduled Flag State Inspection the vessel is trading abroad, the vessel shall carry out a General Inspection equivalent to an annual survey, through a recognised organisation other than the recognised organisation which carried out the last statutory surveys on the vessel.

• In addition to the periodic inspections, any Indian vessel detained by a Port State Control authority in a foreign port, –
  • shall also be subjected to a Flag State Inspection at its first port of call in India;
  • may be subjected to additional oversight measures by the national authority, such as intensified inspection of other vessels in its fleet or an audit of the company’s shore based safety management system, if the detention indicates systemic issues.
• The Principal Officer of any Mercantile Marine Department or the Director-General’s Port State Control-Flag State Implementation Branch may, at any time, direct that a surprise or unscheduled Flag State Inspection be carried out on any Indian vessel, based on bona-fide complaints, emerging safety information, casualties, incident reports, or unsatisfactory Port State reports, before the next scheduled periodic inspection.

10. Oversight and — (1) The field authorities shall be responsible for administering Flag State inspections within their areas.

• The national authority shall maintain oversight of the entire Flag State Implementation regime and act as the coordinating and appellate authority.
• Any disagreements or disputes arising from Flag State inspections may be referred to the national authority for resolution.

11. Conduct of flag State — (1) A flag State inspection shall be a comprehensive and detailed examination of the vessel, covering all aspects of the statutory requirements that apply to the vessel.

(2) If during any inspection or survey conducted by a recognised organisation, any serious deficiencies are observed, which in the opinion of the attending surveyor, could affect the safe operation of the vessel or present an imminent risk to the crew or environment, the recognised organisation shall immediately inform the national authority before the vessel departs the port and upon receiving such information, the national authority shall instruct that the vessel should remain in port until repairs are effected or sail under restrictions, to a repair yard.

12. Operational tests and — The Flag State Inspector may require operational tests or drills similar to those in port State inspections to assess the crew and vessel’s preparedness;

Provided that no test or drill shall be conducted if the master objects on the grounds that it would compromise immediate safety.

13. Reporting of flag State inspections. — (1) On completion of a flag State inspection, the inspector shall prepare a detailed inspection report in the format specified by the Director-General and shall be uploaded in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System and a printed or electronic copy of the inspection report shall be provided to the master for vessel’s records, which shall be acknowledged by the master’s signature.

 

 

• If due to technical issues or remote location, the inspector is not able to directly upload the report online, the inspector shall make a report manually in accordance with Schedule – VIII and the report shall then be entered in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System at the earliest.
• The recognised organisations conducting general inspection or flag-related surveys on Indian vessels shall promptly report their findings to the Director-General and upload the examination report in the digital system.

14. Follow-up and re-inspection by flag State. — (1) Upon completion of inspection, if the owner or master informs that the required corrective actions have been taken, the flag State inspector or another officer authorised by the field authority shall, without undue delay and with minimal impact on the vessel’s schedule, carry out a re-inspection to verify rectification of the deficiencies.

• The field authority shall ensure that authorised flag State inspectors are available at short notice for such re-inspections, particularly if a vessel’s sailing or cargo operations are being held up pending verification of rectifications.
• In cases where port operational constraints necessitate shifting a vessel detained or under repair for deficiencies, from a berth to anchorage or another location, the port authorities may do so under supervision and with the concurrence of the jurisdictional Principal Officer, subject to any safety measures specified by him.

15. Detention of Indian vessels by field authority.— (1) Upon inspection or otherwise, if it is found that the condition of an Indian vessel or its crew or its operation fails to comply with the requirements of the Act or the rules or applicable conventions creating a situation of danger to life, property or the marine environment, the field authority, may provisionally detain the vessel and the vessel shall be prevented from sailing until necessary actions are taken to remove the hazards.

• Where a vessel is provisionally detained by the field authority, a detention order shall be issued to the master in the format specified in Schedule – IX, clearly stating that the vessel is detained under the authority of the Central Government and list the grounds for the detention and a copy of such order shall immediately be communicated to the national authority, vessel’s owner or operator and the recognised organisation responsible for the vessel’s certification.
• A release order as per Schedule – X shall be given once the vessel is deemed fit to

16. Suspension of inspection. — (1) If a flag State inspector finds an Indian vessel in an extraordinarily poor state due to numerous serious deficiencies across the board, indicating a breakdown of the vessel’s maintenance or management such that continuing a normal inspection is futile, he may, with the consent of the Principal Officer, suspend the inspection and report the vessel as unseaworthy or substandard and notify the master in writing about such

• Upon suspension under sub-rule (1), the owner or manager of the vessel shall take necessary steps to ensure that the vessel fully complies with the requirements of the Act, the rules and the applicable conventions and the Principal Officer may arrange for a re-inspection only after the owner or manager or recognised organisation certify that the vessel meets the said
• The re-inspection under sub-rule (2) shall be a full inspection of the vessel and not limited only to deficiencies.

 

 

17. Notification of — (1) Where an Indian vessel is detained by the field authority, the Principal Officer or inspector shall, –
    • inform the master and company of the vessel of such detention;
    • direct the local port authority that such vessel shall not proceed to sea; and
    • inform the national authority and the recognised organisation immediately, providing details of the deficiencies and conditions of detention.

(2) The Director-General may depute additional surveyors or auditors or institute an inquiry to ascertain the circumstances which led to the detention and direct the measures to be taken for improvement in flag State performance.

18.   Obligations of Indian vessels and companies subject to inspection in foreign ports—

(1) The owner or manager of any Indian vessel which is subjected to Port State Control inspection by a foreign port State authority shall–

• ensure that a copy of any Port State Control inspection report issued by a foreign port State authority is forwarded to national authority on priority;
• within seven working days of the completion of a Port State Control inspection in a foreign port, upload the inspection report in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System.

(2) If an Indian vessel is detained by a port State control authority in a foreign port, the owner or manager shall notify the Port State Control-Flag State Implementation Branch of the Director-General immediately and, in any case, not later than twenty-four hours from the time of detention with all relevant details.

19. Corrective and preventive actions after port State control detentions abroad. — (1) Where an Indian vessel is detained in a foreign port, the owner, manager and master shall rectify all detainable deficiencies identified by the foreign port State without any delay, and a comprehensive inspection shall be undertaken to bring the vessel in full compliance before inviting the Port State Control Officer for re-inspection.

(2) If a vessel’s inspection is suspended by a foreign port State authority, then before offering the vessel for re-inspection, the company shall ensure that the following steps are taken, namely: —

• a comprehensive inspection of the vessel may be conducted by a qualified superintendent of the company or by the recognised organisation that issued the vessel’s certificates on behalf of India;
• an additional Safety Management System audit may, if required, be carried out on the directions of the national authority by a recognised organisation, and any non-conformity found shall be addressed and cleared;
• all deficiencies noted by the port State’s inspection are fully rectified before the vessel is presented for re-inspection by the Port State Control;
• no additional condition of class shall be issued on the vessel after detention without the prior knowledge and concurrence of the Director-General;

 

 

• the Director-General may impose additional audits or operational restrictions until confidence in the vessel’s compliance is restored.
• the vessel shall be offered for re-inspection or be moved to a repair yard or alternative port for re-inspection only upon compliance with the provisions of this sub-rule.

20. Appeals against foreign detention. — (1) If the owner or operator of an Indian vessel is aggrieved with the detention by a foreign port State authority, on the ground that the circumstances of the detention were unwarranted or beyond the requirements of the conventions, the owner may, with the concurrence of the Director-General, appeal against such detention in accordance with the laws of the port State.

• An appeal under sub-rule (1) shall be made within the time frame specified by the detaining authority’s national law or by the applicable Port Sate Control Memorandum of Understanding governing the port State.
• Nothing in this rule shall prejudice the right of the vessel owner to seek compensation or any legal remedy available under the foreign state’s laws if a detention is found to be
• The Director-General shall keep records of all detentions of Indian vessels and the outcomes of any appeals for continuous improvement of flag State performance.

 

CHAPTER III PORT STATE CONTROL

21. Application of this Chapter. — Unless otherwise expressly provided, the provisions of this Chapter shall apply to—
    • any vessel, other than an Indian vessel to which the relevant conventions apply, when such vessel is within a port, terminal, anchorages, port facilities, Indian offshore facilities or the territorial waters of India, and is engaged in a vessel-port interface or is otherwise in Indian jurisdiction;
    • only those provisions of the conventions and other instruments listed in Schedule – III which are in force and to which India is a party through ratification or accession, such that India is bound to enforce their requirements as a port State; and
    • all Port State Control inspections carried out under the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, as applicable to India.
22. No more favourable treatment for non-Parties. — (1) No more favourable treatment shall be given to vessels entitled to fly the flag of a State which is not a party to a relevant convention, than is accorded to vessels flying the flag of a State that is a party to that

(2) The non-Party vessels shall be subject to equivalent inspections and must meet an equivalent level of safety, security and environmental protection as required of vessels to which the relevant conventions apply.

23. Vessels to which relevant conventions do not apply. — (1) Any certificates or other documents issued by or on behalf of the flag State administration for vessels which are of a tonnage, type, or service not covered under the relevant conventions or are below the applicable

 

 

thresholds of such conventions shall be accepted as prima facie evidence of compliance during a Port State Control inspection.

• The scope of the inspections under sub-rule (1) shall primarily be to verify that the vessel’s condition and operations are consistent with the safety, pollution prevention, and security standards stated in those certificates or documents.
• Notwithstanding that the relevant conventions do not apply to a vessel by virtue of its small size or particular nature under this rule, the Port State Control Officer shall, –
  • assess whether the vessel is of an acceptable standard of safety and pollution prevention, taking into account factors such as the vessel’s size, age, type, service and area of operation, the equipment provided, the nature of cargo carried, and the length and nature of its voyage; and
  • ensure that such a vessel shall not pose a threat to the vessel, its personnel, or the

24. Exemptions, equivalents, and alternative design arrangements. — (1) While carrying out Port State Control inspections, Port State Control Officer shall accept the specific exemptions, equivalent arrangements or alternative design and arrangements granted to a vessel under various conventions by the flag State.

• Where a vessel holds a valid exemption certificate or documentary evidence of an equivalence or alternative design and arrangements referred to in sub-rule (1) the Port State Control Officer shall accept that the vessel complies with the related requirements of that
• In case of any doubt as to the authenticity or validity of an exemption, equivalence or alternative design approval, the Port State Control Officer may seek clarification from the vessel’s flag State administration or refer the flag State’s published information, before taking any action.
• The Port State Control Officer shall not detain or penalise the vessel until the clarification referred to in sub-rule (3) is obtained, unless the issue in question presents an immediate

25. Compliance with international procedures. — (1) The Director-General shall conduct Port State Control inspections in accordance with the guidelines and procedures established in the Port State Control Procedures Manual of the Memorandum of Understanding and the applicable International Maritime Organisation resolutions on procedures for Port State

(2) The Port State Control Officers shall adhere to the inspection standards, routines, methodologies and obligations set forth in the international instruments, in so far as they are not inconsistent with the Act and these rules.

26. Oversight and internal control. — (1) The field authorities shall be responsible for administering Port State Control inspections within their areas.

• The national authority shall maintain oversight of the entire Port State Control inspections regime and act as the coordinating and appellate authority.
• Any disagreements or disputes arising from the Port State Control inspections may be referred to the national authority for resolution.

 

 

27. Targeting of vessels for — Port State Control inspections shall be carried out on visiting foreign vessels based on the following priorities and information, namely: —
    • vessels identified as high risk ships or standard risk ships according to their ship risk profile as determined by the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System of the Memorandum of Understanding or any targeting mechanism adopted under such Memorandum of Understanding, shall be inspected as a high priority, whereas low risk ships may be subject to less frequent inspections in line with the regional procedures;
    • vessels which are the subject of a request or notification by another port State or any coastal State or flag State regarding deficiencies or suspected non-compliance, if bound for or in an Indian port, may be selected for inspection as deemed necessary;
    • vessels for which information or a complaint has been provided by the vessel’s crew, a professional body, an association, a trade union or any other person or organisation with a legitimate interest in the safety and security of the vessel, the welfare of its crew and passengers, or the protection of the marine environment, shall be investigated through inspection if it presents reasonable grounds;
    • vessels reported by a pilot or by a port authority as having deficiencies or anomalies that may pose a risk to safety or the environment shall be considered clear grounds for a focused or expanded inspection of the vessel;
    • any vessel at the specific direction of the field authority or at the direction of the national authority, when such direction is given based on emerging safety or security concerns, incidents or the need to conduct concentrated inspection campaigns or accident

Explanation. – For the purposes of this rule, –

• “clear grounds” means evidence that the condition of a vessel, its equipment, or its crew does not substantially meet the requirements of the relevant conventions, or that the master or crew are not familiar with essential shipboard safety, security, or pollution prevention procedures;
• “ship risk profile” means the classification assigned to a vessel in the Computerised Information System under the memorandum of understanding, based on the vessel’s performance record over the preceding thirty-six months and where vessels are classified as high risk ships, standard risk ships, or low risk ships according to criteria such as type and age of vessel, flag State performance, recognised organisation performance, company performance, and the vessel’s Port State Control inspection history.

28. Types of Port State Control — The nature and extent of a Port State Control inspection shall be as specified in Schedule – IV.
29. Conduct of operational tests and drills. — The Port State Control Officer may require operational tests or drills similar to those in flag State inspections to assess the crew and vessel’s preparedness:

Provided that no test or drill shall be conducted if the master objects on the grounds that it would compromise immediate safety.

30. Reporting after inspection. — (1) On completion of a Port State Control inspection, the Port State Control Officer shall prepare a detailed inspection report in the format specified in

 

 

Schedule-V and shall be uploaded in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System and a printed or electronic copy of the inspection report shall be provided to the master for vessel’s records, which shall be acknowledged by the master’s signature.

(2) If due to technical issues or remote location, the Port State Control Officer is not able to directly upload the report online, he shall make a report manually in accordance with Schedule-V and the report shall then be entered in the Centralised Electronic Database and Information Management System at the earliest.

31. Follow up and re-inspection under Port State Control. — (1) Upon completion of inspection, if the owner or master informs that the required corrective actions have been taken, the Port State Control Officer or another officer authorised by the field authority shall, without undue delay and with minimal impact on the vessel’s schedule, carry out a re-inspection to verify rectification of the deficiencies.

• The field authority shall ensure that authorised Port State Control Officer are available at short notice for such re-inspections, particularly if a vessel’s sailing or cargo operations are being held up pending verification of rectifications.
• In cases where port operational constraints necessitate shifting a vessel detained or under repair for deficiencies, from a berth to anchorage or another location, the port authorities may do so under supervision and with the concurrence of the jurisdictional Principal Officer, subject to any safety measures specified by him.
• If a vessel was allowed to sail with deficiencies rectifiable within a period as specified in Form B of Schedule – V, and the vessel calls at an Indian port for the purpose of clearing such deficiencies, the Port State Control Officer shall promptly undertake the follow-up inspection to verify whether the previously noted deficiencies have been rectified without causing undue delay to the vessel’s schedule.

32. Detention of foreign vessels. — (1) Upon inspection or otherwise, if it is found that the condition of a foreign vessel or its crew or its operation fails to comply with the requirements of the applicable conventions creating a situation of danger to life, property or the marine environment, the field authority, may provisionally detain the vessel and the vessel shall be prevented from sailing until necessary actions are taken to remove the hazards.

• Where a vessel is provisionally detained by the field authority, a detention order shall be issued to the master in the format specified in Schedule – VI, clearly stating that the vessel is detained under the authority of the Central Government and list the grounds for the detention and a copy of such order shall immediately be communicated to the national authority, vessel’s owner or operator and the recognised organisation responsible for the vessel’s certification.
• The ground for detention under this rule shall be guided by the criteria of the International Maritime Organisation Port State Control procedures and the Memorandum of Understanding
• A release order as per Schedule – VII shall be given once the vessel is deemed fit to

33. Suspension of inspection. — (1) If a Port State Control Officer finds a foreign vessel in an extraordinarily poor state due to numerous serious deficiencies across the board, indicating a breakdown of the vessel’s maintenance or management such that continuing a normal inspection is futile, he may, with the consent of the jurisdictional Principal Officer, suspend the inspection and report the vessel as unseaworthy or substandard and notify the master in writing about such suspension.

 

 

• Upon suspension under sub-rule (1), the vessel’s flag state administration or its recognised organisation shall take necessary steps to ensure that the vessel fully complies with the requirements of the applicable conventions and the jurisdictional Principal Officer may arrange for a re-inspection only after the vessel’s flag state administration or its recognised organisation certify that the vessel meets the said requirements.
• The re-inspection under sub-rule (2) shall be a full inspection of the vessel and not limited only to deficiencies.

34. Notification of — (1) Where a vessel is detained or an inspection is suspended under rule 33, the Port State Control Officer through the field authority shall notify, –
    • the flag State administration of the vessel;
    • the consul or diplomatic representative of the flag State in India;
    • the local port authority that such vessel shall not proceed to sea; and
    • the recognised organisation that has issued class or statutory certificates for the vessel and the national authority.

(2) Such notification should include the reasons for detention and, where relevant, the measures required for the vessel’s release.

35. Vessels with accidental damage or force majeure — (1) If a vessel arrives at an Indian port directly as a result of distress or an emergency or to seek refuge after suffering accidental damage at sea or in port, the Port State Control authority may conduct an inspection for assessing the vessel’s fitness to continue its voyage safely.

(2) The Port State Control Officer shall not detain the vessel for deficiencies directly caused by the accident if the master or company, prior to or on entering the port, has–

• notified the relevant authorities of the incident; and
• informed the flag State:

Provided that this rule shall not apply where there is clear evidence of negligence or the vessel would present an unreasonable danger if it were to sail.

36. Disclaimer to — (1) The Port State Control Officer shall provide the master with a detailed inspection report outlining all identified deficiencies.

• In the event of detention, the Port State Control Officer shall recommend that the vessel arrange a thorough examination by the flag State or the relevant recognised organisation before requesting a re-inspection by the port State.
• The Port State Control Officer shall inform the master, –
  • of the vessel’s right to appeal in the event of a detention; and
  • that a Port State Control inspection is a sampling inspection and the deficiencies recorded by the Port State Control Officer may not be exhaustive.

 

CHAPTER IV MISCELLANEOUS

37. Survey and certification by recognised organisation. — Recognised organisations performing surveys, audits, and issuing certificates on behalf of the Government of India for the purposes of these rules shall carry out such duties in accordance with the agreement or instrument of authorisation executed between the Government and the recognised organisation and in line with the applicable International Maritime Organisation Instruments (including International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, Load Line, etc., and the Code for Recognised Organisation).
38. Reporting by recognised organisations. — (1) Recognised organisations shall provide access to their database and submit periodic reports of Indian vessels to the national authority regarding the surveys, audits and inspections carried out by the recognised organisation, at the frequency and in format as specified by the national authority.

• A recognised organisation shall promptly report to the national authority, if during any inspection, it finds a vessel not fit to proceed to sea or to continue operations without risk.
• Recognised organisations shall also promptly inform the Director-General of any accident, incident or occurrence on an Indian vessel which comes to their knowledge, having implications for safety or pollution prevention.

39. Monitoring of recognised organisations by Director-General. — The Director-General shall monitor and conduct audits of the recognised organisations acting on its behalf and ensure that they carry out their duties as required by the International Maritime Organisation Recognised Organisation Code and the applicable laws, including —
    • periodic audits of the recognised organisations’ offices and processes, at such intervals as specified by the Director-General, to verify that the recognised organisation is performing surveys and certifications in conformity with the authorisation;
    • review of recognised organisation performance indicators including detention rates of Indian vessels surveyed by each recognised organisation, number of deficiencies reported, :

Provided that if any recognised organisation is identified as having relatively poor performance, the national authority shall direct the recognised organisation to take corrective measures or, if warranted, withdraw authorisation of their services under section 9 of the Act.

40. Banning of substandard vessels. — (1) If a foreign flag vessel has been detained more than once within a period of less than twelve months in Indian ports or found to consistently present serious deficiencies indicating a pattern of substandard operation, the Director-General may ban that vessel from entering India’s ports, terminals, anchorages, port facilities or offshore facilities or the territorial waters, permanently or for a specified period of time.

• Where a vessel is banned, the Director-General shall issue a notice to the master, owner, and flag State of the vessel, as well as to all Port authorities and relevant agencies as applicable in India, informing that the vessel is refused access to Indian ports, terminals, anchorages, port facilities or offshore facilities or the territorial waters.

 

 

• The notice issued under sub-rule (2) shall also contain the conditions, if any for lifting the

41. Annual review. — (1) The national authority shall conduct an annual review of the Port State Control and Flag State Implementation regimes which shall include analysis of inspection data and key performance indicators such as number of inspections, deficiencies, detentions, detentions of Indian vessels abroad, and any incidents.

• The review shall also assess the performance of Port State Control Officers and Flag State Inspectors and identify areas for their improvement, and evaluate whether the targeting criteria and inspection frequencies are being effectively implemented.
• The outcome of such reviews shall be documented as an annual report to be published by the Director-General for the information of all stakeholders.

42. Training and qualifications. — (1) The national authority shall ensure that all Port State Control Officers and flag State Inspectors undergo applicable initial training and receive periodic refresher training and participate in exchange programs or joint inspections to harmonise practices.

• A system of competency building shall be maintained to ensure that only those who meet the qualifications specified in Schedule – I are designated as Port State Control Officers or Flag State Inspectors.
• The national authority may revoke or suspend authorisations if an Inspector is found lacking in performance or integrity.

43. Power to exempt vessels from these rules. — (1) The Director-General may, with the prior approval of the Central Government and in conformity with the provisions of section 300 of the Act, exempt any foreign vessel or category of vessels from any specific requirement under these rules, in whole or in part, subject to such conditions as deemed appropriate.

• Such exemption shall be granted only if it is satisfied that granting the exemption shall not contravene any of India’s obligations under international conventions and that the vessel in question provides an equivalent level of safety and environmental protection by other means.
• Any such exemption granted shall be documented and may be revoked at any time if the conditions attached are not fulfilled or if the reasons for granting it ceases to apply.

44. Obligations of foreign vessels in Indian — (1) Every foreign flag vessel that enters a port or place in India or is within Indian territorial waters, shall comply with all the requirements as specified by the Director-General or any other competent authority of the Central Government or State Government which may include providing advance notice of arrival, details of certificates and crew list, records of discharges under International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, security information as per the International Ship and Port Facility Code, any serious defects of hull or machinery and any other particulars relevant to Port State Control.

• During its stay in port, the vessel shall comply with applicable Indian laws and regulations including pollution control measures, customs and immigration laws, etc.
• Failure to provide required information or providing false information shall be liable to penalties under the Act.

 

 

45. Power to issue directions and — Notwithstanding anything contained in these rules, the Director-General may issue administrative directions, circulars, or guidelines to any vessel, owner, operator, company, port authority, recognised organisation or persons subject to the Act, in order to give effect to the provisions of relevant international conventions or these rules.
46. Fees and — Every owner or operator of a vessel shall be liable to pay fees, costs and charges for inspections and related services under these rules, as specified in Schedule – XI.
47. — Whoever fails to comply with any provision of these rules including the following, shall be liable to such penalties as specified in the Act, namely: –
    • obstructing or hindering a Port State Control Officer or Flag State Inspector in the execution of their duties;
    • sailing a vessel without rectifying deficiencies when required to do so;
    • providing false or misleading information to
48. Appellate authority. — (1) Any person aggrieved by any action taken under these rules may prefer an appeal in writing before the national authority within thirty days from such

• The national authority shall hear the appeal and pass an order within a period of thirty days from the date of receipt of the appeal.
• No such order shall be passed under these rules unless the parties have been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.

 

Schedule – I

[See rules 3(2) and 42(2)]

Qualification and Experience for Flag State Inspector and PSCO

 

1. Qualification and experience for Flag State Inspector—
   1. Appointed as a ‘surveyor’ under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025).
   2. Certified as a chief engineer, master mariner or a naval architect employed with the Government of India on a regular basis.
   3. Radio Surveyor or Inspector can only assist qualified Flag State Inspector for radio related
   4. The officer should have conducted at least ten FSI inspections satisfactorily under a qualified Flag State Inspector.
   5. The qualification record along with recommendation by the principal officer of the district concerned to be forwarded to the chief surveyor for approval.
   6. Re-qualification of the authorised flag state inspector is required if the officer has not carried out at least two Flag State Inspection in a calendar year.
   7. Such officer is to get re-qualified by conducting at least two FSI under an authorized Flag State Inspector and on satisfactory completion of the same the authorization to be renewed by the concerned jurisdictional principal officer.
   8. The requalification requirements are not applicable to principal officers, deputy chief surveyors, deputy nautical advisors and deputy chief ship surveyors.

B.  Qualification and experience for Port State Control Officer—

1. Appointed as a ‘surveyor’ under clause (d) of sub-section (1) of section 8 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025(24 of 2025).
2. Certified as a chief engineer, master mariner or a naval architect employed with the Government of India on a regular basis.
3. Radio Surveyor or Inspector can only assist qualified Port State Control Inspector for radio related inspections.
4. The officer should have been a qualified Flag State Inspector for a period of at least six months and has a minimum of one year experience as flag state surveyor.
5. The officer should have completed at least ten Flag State inspections as an authorized Flag State Inspector and satisfactorily carried out at least ten Port State Control inspections under a qualified Port State Control Officer.
6. The qualification record along with recommendation by the principal officer of the district concerned to be forwarded to the chief surveyor for approval.

 

 

7. Re-qualification of the authorised Port State Control Officer is required if the officer has not carried out at least two Port State Control inspections in a calendar year.
8. Such officer is to get re-qualified by conducting at least two Port State Control inspections under an authorised Port State Control Officer and on satisfactory completion of the same the authorization to be renewed by the concerned jurisdictional principal officer.
9. The requalification requirements are not applicable to principal officers, deputy chief surveyors, deputy nautical advisors and deputy chief ship surveyors.

 

 

Schedule – II [See rule 3(4)] Identity Card

 

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE IDENTITY CARD

FOR PORT STATE CONTROL OFFICERS AND FLAG STATE INSPECTORS

 

1. The identity card shall contain at least the following information, namely: —

 

• name of issuing authority;
• full name of the holder of the identity card;
• an up-to-date picture of the holder of the identity card;
• the signature of the holder of the identity card;
• a statement to the effect that the holder of the identity card is authorised to carry out inspections in accordance with national legislation.

 

2. In case the main language used on the identity card is not English, it must include a translation into that language.

 

3. The format of the identity card is left to the discretion of the jurisdictional principal officer, Mercantile Marine Department.

 

Schedule – III [See rule 21(b)]

List of relevant conventions.

• the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS 1974);
• the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, as amended (SOLAS PROT 1988);
• the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as amended (LL1966);
• the Protocol of 1988 relating to the International Convention on Load Lines, 1966, as amended (LL PROT 1988);
• the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973, as modified by the 1978 and 1997 Protocols, as amended (MARPOL);
• the International    Convention    on   Standards   of   Training,        Certification             and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW 1978);
• the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969, as amended (TONNAGE 1969);
• the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-fouling Systems on Ships, 2001 (AFS 2001);
• the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended (COLREG 1972);
• the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969 (CLC 1969);
• the Protocol of 1992 to amend the International Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1969, as amended (CLC PROT 1992);
• the International Convention on Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage, 2001 (BUNKERS 2001);
• the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships’ Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004, as amended (BWM 2004); and
• the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007(NAIROBI WRC 2007),
• the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006;
• the Hong Kong International Convention for the Safe and Environmentally Sound Recycling of Ships(2009).

 

 

Schedule – IV [See rule 28]

Types of Port State Control Inspections

 

• Initial inspection – An initial inspection includes visual observations of the vessel’s structure and facilities and may include a walk-through of key areas. The inspection to be carried out on board a vessel includes checking the validity of the relevant certificates and other documents, the overall condition of the vessel, its equipment and its crew. During the inspection if there is evidence that the vessel, its equipment, or its crew do not correspond substantially with the requirements of the relevant conventions or that the master or crew members are not familiar with essential shipboard procedures relating to the safety of vessels or the prevention of pollution a more detailed inspection has to be carried out.
• More detailed inspection– A more detailed inspection has to be carried out whenever there are clear grounds during the initial inspection and the grounds exist when a Port State Control Officer finds evidence, which warrants a more detailed inspection of the vessel, its equipment or its crew. A more detailed inspection shall include an in-depth examination in the area(s) where clear grounds were established, the areas relevant to any overriding or unexpected factors and will take account of the human elements covered by International Labour Organisation, International Safety Management Code and International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers and include operational controls as appropriate.
• Expanded inspection- An expanded inspection is broader in scope and depth, typically carried out on certain vessels with a higher risk profile (for example, aged oil tankers, gas or chemical tankers, bulk carriers, passenger vessels, or vessels with a history of detentions) or as required under the New Inspection Such inspections cover in detail at least the critical elements of vessel structure, machinery, navigation, life-saving, fire safety, environmental protection, and working and living conditions, as applicable. The High Risk Ships and ships more than fifteen years old are eligible for an expanded inspection which shall inter alia include a check of the overall condition, including the human element where relevant. Subject to their practical feasibility or any constraints relating to the safety of persons, the vessel or the port, verification of the specific items in the risk areas for each vessel type must be part of an expanded inspection. The Port State Control Officer must use professional judgement to determine the appropriate depth of examination or testing of each specific item.
• Concentrated inspection campaign – Concentrated inspection campaigns focus on specific areas where a higher risk of non-compliance could exist. All Port State Control Officers shall carry out concentrated inspection campaigns on the specified subject during the specified period as announced by the Indian Ocean Memorandum of Understanding from time to time.

 

 

Schedule – V

[See rules 30 and 31(4)]

Format of Manual Port State Control Inspection Report

REPORT OF INSPECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

ON PORT STATE CONTROL IN THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION

 

FORM A

 

Name of Authority : Directorate General of Maritime Administration	Copy To : Master
Address : 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno-Campus,Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai400 042.	Head Office
	PSCO
Telephone : +91 22 25752040-43	If Ship is detained, copy to :
Facsimile : +91-22-25752029/35	Flag State
Email : psc-dgs@nic.in	Port Authority
Type of report : Initial / Follow Up	Recognised Organisation, if applicable

 

1. Reporting Authority : India	2. Name of Ship :
3. Flag of Ship:	4. Type of Ship:
5a. Call Sign :	5b. MMSI Number :
6. IMO Number :	7. Gross Tonnage :
8. Deadweight (where applicable ) :	9. Date Keel Laid :
10. Date of Inspection :	11. Place of Inspection :
12. Recognised Organisation :	13. Date of release from detention** :
14a. IMO Company Number :	14b. Particulars of Company :
15. Name and Signature of Master to certify that the information under 14b is correct:
Name:	Signature:
16. Details of Ship Certificates :

 

SN.	a. Title	b. Issuing Authority	c. Date of Issue	d. Date of Expiry	e. Information on last intermediate or annual survey
					Date	Surveying Authority	Place

 

 

17. Deficiencies :	18. Ship Detained ***: Yes/No
19. Supporting Documentation	20. PSC inspection action taken :

 

Issuing Office :	Name :
Telephone :	Signature :
Facsimile :

This report must be retained on board for a period of two years and must be available for consultation by port State control officers at all times.

* This inspection report has been issued solely for the purposes of informing the master and the port States that an inspection by the port State, mentioned in the heading, has taken place. This inspection report cannot be construed as a seaworthiness certificate in excess of the certificate the ship is required to carry.

** To be completed in the event of a detention and Guidelines of the responsibility assessment of the Recognised Organisation(RO).

*** Masters, shipowners and/or operators are advised that detailed information on a detention may be subject to future publication.                                                                                                                

APPELLATE AUTHORITY: 1. psc-dgs@nic.in;, 2. cs-dgs@nic.in

FORM B

 

Name of Authority : Directorate General of Maritime Administration	Copy To : Master
Address : 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno-Campus,Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai400 042.	Head Office
	PSCO
Telephone : +91 22 25752040-43	If Ship is detained, copy to :
Facsimile : +91-22-25752029/35	Flag State
Email : psc-dgs@nic.in	IMO
Type of report : Initial / Follow Up	Recognised Organisation, if applicable

 

1. Name of Ship	2. IMO Number
3. Date of Inspection :	4. Place of Inspection :

 

20.No.	21.Code	Nature of Deficiency*	Deficiency Description	Convention Reference **	22.Action Taken ***	23.Responsible RO**

 

Issuing Office :	Name :
Telephone :	Signature :
Facsimile :

 

This report must be retained on board for period two years and must be available for

consultation by Port State Control Officers at all times.                                                                                                                                               

 

* This inspection was not a full survey and deficiencies listed may not be exhaustive. In the event of a detention. It is recommended that full survey is carried out and all deficiencies are rectified before an application for re-inspection is made.

 

 

** To be completed in the event of a detention and Guidelines of the responsibility assessment of the Recognised Organisation(RO).

Reverse Side of Form B Codes For Action Taken***

 

Sr. No.	Deficiency Action Code	Deficiency Action Name
	10	Deficiency Rectified.
	15	Rectify Deficiency at next port.
	16	Rectify Deficiency within 14 days.
	17	Rectify Deficiency before departure.
	18	Rectify Deficiency within 3 months.
	21	Corrective action taken on the ISM system by the Company is required within 3 months
	30	Detainable deficiency.
	46	Rectify detainable deficiency at agreed repair port
	48	As in the agreed flag state condition
	49	As in the agreed Rectification Action Plan
	99	Other (Specify)

 

 

 

 

APPELLATE AUTHORITY: 1. psc-dgs@nic.in;, 2. cs-dgs@nic.in

 

 

 

Schedule – VI [See rule 32(2)]

Format of Detention Order for PSC

 

Detention Order

 

 

Detention Order No. ……………….

Date: ……………………..

 

 

Name of Ship	IMO	Port of Registry	Present Location	Name of Master
			PORT

 

Vessel              , IMO No.               , was inspected in accordance with                     MOU Port State   Inspection    Procedures    adopted   by    the    surveyors    from    this            department  on

…………………. At…………………… The inspection team has reported deficiencies rendering

the vessel to be categorized as ‘Un-seaworthy’ within the meaning of Sect. 278 of Merchant Shipping Act 2025 (24 of 2025).

In exercise of the powers vested under section 307 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025) the Principal Officer, MERCANTILE MARINE DEPARTMENT,                                                                                             , hereby orders the provisional DETENTION of Vessel    , IMO No.                                                                                          ,”under Port State Control, subject to the “Note” below:

Note:-

_ _ _ (name of the ship), _ _ _ _ IMO No_____ is thus detained and not allowed to sail out of

the port limits of _ _ _ (name of the port)______ without permission from this office. Unless

otherwise informed explicitly the vessel has to carry out all necessary repairs in consultation with the classification / Flag state, comply with the rule requirements as per the applicable International Standards and presented for re-inspection to a surveyor from this department, or as intimated otherwise.

Encl:- PSC Report (Form A & B)

Name……………………………………………

 

Signature…………………………………………

 

 

 

 

Copy to- (where applicable)

Date………………………………………………

….

 

1. The Master (to also ensure that owners / Agent / RO is informed forth with);
2. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration, (PSC Branch);
3. Owners / Agent;
4. Flag State Administration;

 

 

5. The Conservator/ Concerned Port Authority;
6. The Commissioner of Customs;
7. Indian Coast Guard;
8. Classification Society (RO);
9. Embassy/ Consulate;
10. A g e n t s .

 

NOTE: – The Master of the vessel has the “right of appeal” against this order.

Appellate Authority: cs-dgs@nic.in; psc-dgs@nic.in

 

Release Order Reporting office:

Schedule – VII [See rule 32(4)]

Format of Release Order for PSC

 

PSC Release Order No………………….	Date : ………………
PSC Detention Order No. ……………….	Date: ……………………………………….

 

Name of Ship	IMO	Port of Registry	Present Location	Name of Master

 

“”, IMO No……………………. was detained by this office on………………………. , in view of serious deficiencies

observed on the vessel and was advised to carry out all necessary repairs in consultation with Flag State / Recognised Organisation (RO) of the vessel.

This is to confirm that subsequent to the re-inspection of the vessel by this department on………………….. Principal

Officer, MMD,……………… , in exercise of the power vested under section 307 of the Merchant Shipping Act,

2025 (24 of 2025), hereby orders the release of “”, IMO No………………..

Thus “……………..”, IMO No……………………. is permitted to sail out subject to the following conditions if any

(if no conditions apply, please state NIL) from the port of…………………….. subject to the following conditions:-

 

 

1.

2.

3.

 

 

Date…………………………

 

 

Name………………………………………………

Signature…………………………………………….

 

 

Copy to- (where applicable)

Encl:- PSC Report (Form A & B) Name

……………………………………… Signature…………………

Date…………

 

11. The Master (to also ensure that owners / Agent / RO is informed forth with);
12. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration, (PSC Branch);
13. Owners / Agent;
14. Flag State Administration;
15. The Conservator DPA;
16. The Commissioner of Customs;
17. Indian Coast Guard;
18. Classification Society (RO);
19. Embassy/ Consulate

 

Schedule – VIII [See rule 13(2)]

Format of Manual Flag State Inspection Report

 

REPORT OF INSPECTION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MERCHANT SHIPPING (PORT STATE CONTROL AND FLAG STATE IMPLEMENTATION) RULES, 2026

 

FORM A

 

Name of Authority : Directorate General of Maritime Administration	Copy To : Master
	DGMA
Address : 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno-Campus,Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai400 042.	PO, MMD
	If Ship is detained, copy to :
Telephone : +91 22 25752040-43	DGMA
Facsimile : +91-22-25752029/35	Recognised Organisation,if applicable
Email : psc-dgs@nic.in	Port Authority
Type of report : Initial / Follow Up

 

1. Reporting MMD Office :	2. Name of Ship :
3. Flag of Ship: INDIA	4. Type of Ship:
5a. Call Sign :	5b. MMSI Number :
6. IMO Number :	7. Gross Tonnage :
8. Deadweight (where applicable ) :	9. Date Keel Laid :
10. Date of Inspection :	11. Place of Inspection :
12. Recognised Organisation :	13. Date of release from detention** :
14a. IMO Company Number :	14b. Particulars of Company :
15. Name and Signature of Master to certify that the information under 14b is correct:
Name:	Signature:
16. Details of Ship Certificates :

 

SN.	a. Title	b. Issuing Authority	c. Date of Issue	d. Date of Expiry	e. Information on last intermediate or annual survey
					Date	Surveying Authority	Place

 

 

 

17. Deficiencies :	18. Ship Detained ***: Yes/No
19. Supporting Documentation

 

Issuing Office :	Name :
Telephone :	Signature :
Facsimile :

This report must be retained on board for a period of two years and must be available for consultation by Flag State Inspectors at all times.

** To be completed in the event of a detention.

*** Masters, shipowners and/or operators are advised that detailed information on a detention may be subject to future publication.                                                                                                                

APPELLATE AUTHORITY: 1. psc-dgs@nic.in;, 2. cs-dgs@nic.in

 

FORM B

 

Name of Authority : Directorate General of Maritime Administration	Copy To : Master
Address : 9th Floor, Beta Building, I Think Techno-Campus,Kanjurmarg (E), Mumbai400 042.	Head Office
	PSCO
Telephone : +91 22 25752040-43	If Ship is detained, copy to :
Facsimile : +91-22-25752029/35	Flag State
Email : psc-dgs@nic.in	IMO
Type of report : Initial / Follow Up	Recognised Organisation, if applicable

 

1. Name of Ship	2. IMO Number
3. Date of Inspection :	4. Place of Inspection :

 

 

5.No.	6.Code	Nature of Deficiency*	Deficiency Description	Convention Reference **	7.Action Taken ***

 

 

 

 

Issuing Office :	Name :
Telephone :	Signature :
Facsimile :

 

This report must be retained on board for period two years and must be available for

consultation by Flag State Inspectors at all times.                                                                                                                                               

 

* This inspection was not a full survey and deficiencies listed may not be exhaustive. In the event of a detention. It is recommended that full survey is carried out and all deficiencies are rectified before an application for re-inspection is made.

 

** To be completed in the event of a detention.

Reverse Side of Form B Codes For Action Taken***

 

Sr. No.	Deficiency Action Code	Deficiency Action Name
	10	Deficiency Rectified.
	15	Rectify Deficiency at next port.
	16	Rectify Deficiency within 14 days.
	17	Rectify Deficiency before departure.
	18	Rectify Deficiency within 3 months.
	21	Corrective action taken on the ISM system by the Company is required within 3 months
	30	Detainable deficiency.
	46	Rectify detainable deficiency at agreed repair port
	48	As in the agreed flag state condition
	49	As in the agreed Rectification Action Plan
	99	Other (Specify)

 

 

 

 

APPELLATE AUTHORITY: 1. psc-dgs@nic.in;, 2. cs-dgs@nic.in

 

 

 

Schedule – IX [See rule 15(2)]

Format of Detention Order for FSI

 

Detention Order

 

Detention Order No. ……………….

Date: ……………………..

 

Name of Ship	IMO	Port of Registry	Present Location	Name of Master

 

Vessel                , IMO No.                , was inspected in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (Port State Control and Flag State Implementation) Rules, 2026 adopted by the surveyors from this department on …………………. At………………. The inspection team has reported deficiencies rendering the vessel to be categorised as ‘unseaworthy’ within the meaning of section 278 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025).

In exercise of the powers vested under section 307 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025) the Principal Officer, MERCANTILE MARINE DEPARTMENT,            , hereby orders the provisional DETENTION of Vessel                                                    , IMO No.           ,”under Flag State Inspection Procedures , subject to the “Note” below:

Note:-

As per the requirements of section 307 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025(24 of 2025), Vessel………………………. of

INDIA, IMO No……………………………. is not allowed to operate and sail from the port of on account of the detainable

deficiencies noted during the Flag State Inspection of the vessel by the Surveyor of this department on

…………………. Unless otherwise informed explicitly the vessel has to carry out all necessary repairs in consultation

with the classification / Flag State, comply with the rule requirements as per the applicable provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and be presented for re-inspection to a surveyor from this department, or as intimated otherwise.

Encl:- FSI Report (Form A & B)                                                                        .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copy to- (where applicable)

Authorised authority

Principal Officer-Cum-Joint DG (Tech) Mercantile Marine Department,……………

 

1. The Master (to also ensure that owners / Agent / RO is informed forth with);
2. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration, (PSC Branch);
3. Owners / Agent ;
4. The Conservator/ Concerned Port Authority;
5. Classification Society (RO);
6. A g e n t s .

 

NOTE: The Master of the vessel has the “right of appeal” against this order Appellate Authority : cs-dgs@nic.in; psc-dgs@nic.in

 

 

Schedule – X [See rule 15(3)]

Format of Release Order for FSI

Release Order

 

Reporting office:

 

FSI Release Order No………………….	Date : ………………
FSI Detention Order No. ……………….	Date: ……………………………………….

 

 

Name of Ship	IMO	Port of Registry	Present Location	Name of Master

 

“”, IMO No……………………. was detained by this office on…………………… , in view of

serious deficiencies observed on the vessel and was advised to carry out all necessary repairs in consultation with Owners/Managers / Recognised Organisation (RO) of the vessel.

This is to confirm that subsequent to the re-inspection of the vessel by this department on

……………. Principal Officer, MMD,…………… , in exercise of the power vested under

section 307 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025), hereby Orders the release of

“”, IMO No………………..

Thus “……………..”, IMO No……………….. is permitted to sail out subject to the following

conditions if any (if no conditions apply, please state NIL) from the port of……………… subject to the following conditions:-

1.

2.

3.

 

Authorized authority

Principal Officer-Cum-Joint DG (Tech) Mercantile Marine Department,

 

Copy to- (where applicable)

1. The Master (to also ensure that owners / Agent / RO is informed forth with);
2. The Directorate General of Maritime Administration, (PSC Branch);
3. Owners / Agent ;
4. The Conservator/ Concerned Port Authority;
5. Classification Society (RO);
6. A g e n t s .

 

NOTE: The Master of the vessel has the “right of appeal” against this order Appellate Authority : cs-dgs@nic.in; psc-dgs@nic.in

 

 

Schedule -XI [See rule 46]

 

Schedule of Fees and Costs for Flag State and Port State Control Inspections

 

S.No.	Items	Category	Fees/Costs(INR)
1.	Flag State Inspection (FSI) Fees	Initial Inspection	Rs.8,000/-
		Follow Up Inspection	Rs.5,000/-
2.	Indian ships detained under FSI and found with detainable deficiencies or evidence noticed at later date regarding employment of seafarers with fake documents.	Ships found in possession of forged statutory certificates including fake certificates of competency of seafarers.	Rs.16,50,000/-
		Ships found to be operating without safety/ pollution prevention certificates	Rs.12,00,000/-
3.	For survey of ships detained on account of major defects in hull/ machinery/equipment or on account of overloading or improper loading under FSI.	(i) Below 500 G.T.	Rs.22,500/-
		(ii) 500 G.T. and above but below 1000 G.T.	Rs. 37,500/-
		(iii) For every additional 1000 G.T. or part thereof.	Rs. 7,500/- subject to a maximum of Rs.2,40,000/-
4.	Port State Control (PSC) Follow up Inspection Fees	Fees for each Port State Control follow up inspection to verify rectification of deficiencies necessitating on board attendance	Rs. 5,000/-
5.	Inspection of Foreign Ships detained under PSC	Ships found in possession of forged statutory certificates including certificates of competency of seafarers.	Rs.16,50,000/-
		Ships found to be operating without or expired or invalid safety/ pollution prevention certificates	Rs.12,00,000/-
6.	Foreign Ships detained under PSC found sub-standard due to major hull, machinery and equipment deficiencies, necessitating suspension of inspection.	(i) Below 5000 G.T.	Rs.2,40,000/-
		(ii) Above 5000 GT	Rs.2,40,000/- plus Rs.37,500/- for every additional 1000 GT subject to maximum of Rs.12,00,000/-
7.	Foreign Ships detained under PSC found with detainable deficiencies necessitating detention including being	(i) Below 5000 G.T.	Rs.60,000/-
		(ii) Above 5000 GT	Rs.60,000/- plus Rs.12,000/- for

 

 

	detained on account of overloading or improper loading.		every additional 1000 GT subject to maximum of Rs.4,80,000/-
8.	Professional Charges for carrying out surveys, audits and inspections on Saturday, Sunday, Public Holidays and before or beyond office hours	(i) Before 0930 AM and After 6 PM	Rs. 3,000/-
		(ii) Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays	Rs. 10,000/-

 

[F. No. SY-19014/199/2025-MG]

VENKATESAPATHY S, Jt. Secy.

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