**Executive Summary**
This document contains the answer from the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to Unstarred Question No. 2128 regarding the functions of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS). The response clarifies the IRS's status as a non-profit entity, its regulatory roles, and the government's oversight. The answer was provided on December 12, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) Status:**
* IRS is a non-profit entity registered under the Companies Act, 2013.
* It is governed by company law provisions and its own Memorandum of Association.
* IRS functions under its internal administrative framework.
* IRS is one of nine Recognized Organizations authorized by the Government of India to undertake survey and certification functions under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
* **Government Oversight:**
* The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is examining four recent complaints received against the functioning of IRS.
* **Regulatory Functions and Authorizations:**
* Gazette Notification S.O. 3316(E) dated 26.12.2014 authorizes nine international classification societies, including IRS, to undertake statutory surveys and issue/endorse certificates for cargo ships under IMO conventions/instruments.
* IRS is appointed as the sole Load Line Assigning Authority under the Merchant Shipping (Load Line) Rules, 1979, via Gazette Notification S.O 768(E) dated 07.11.1997.
* **IMO Conventions/Instruments covered by IRS:**
1. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS-74)
2. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973/78 (MARPOL-73/78)
3. International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (ICLL-66) and its 1988 Protocol.
4. International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969
5. Relevant Rules, Orders and Notifications issued under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways**
* **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing the functioning of IRS and addressing complaints related to its operations.
* **Action Required:** Examine and take appropriate action regarding the four recent complaints received against the functioning of IRS.
**Indian Register of Shipping (IRS)**
* **Impact:** Must adhere to company law provisions, its Memorandum of Association, and internal administrative framework. Authorized to perform surveys/certifications under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and to undertake statutory surveys and issue/endorse certificates for cargo ships under IMO conventions/instruments, but must follow relevant rules.
* **Action Required:** Continue functioning under the regulatory framework and address the complaints received.
**Shipping Industry/Stakeholders**
* **Impact:** Affected by IRS's survey and certification activities as well as its role as the Load Line Assigning Authority.
* **Action Required:** Comply with the regulatory requirements and guidelines set forth by IRS and the relevant government bodies.
**International Classification Societies**
* **Impact:** Authorized by Government of India via Gazette Notification S.O. 3316(E) dated 26.12.2014, including IRS, to undertake statutory surveys and issue or endorse certificates for cargo ships under specific IMO conventions/ instruments.
* **Action Required:** Ensure surveys and certifications are done in accordance with the relevant rules and conventions.
Key Entities Referenced
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS): Non-profit entity registered under the Companies Act, 2013, functions under its Memorandum of Association, and authorized under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 to undertake survey and certification functions.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The ministry responsible for examining complaints against the functioning of the Indian Register of Shipping.
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: Act under which the Indian Register of Shipping is authorized to undertake survey and certification functions.
Companies Act, 2013: Act under which Indian Register of Shipping is registered as a non-profit entity.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2128
ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025
FUNCTIONS OF THE INDIAN REGISTER OF SHIPPING
2128. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न, पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
a) whether the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is a Government, private or
Government-controlled entity;
b) whether the Government monitors its functioning, if so, the details of reviews
or assessments made during the last ten years, year-wise;
c) the regulatory or statutory functions assigned to IRS along with relevant rules
or notifications;
d) whether the Government has excluded other classification societies from
similar roles, if so, the reasons therefor; and
e) whether any representations have been received from stakeholders regarding
Governance of IRS or functioning during the last ten years, if so, the details thereof
along with the action taken thereon?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a), (b) & (e) Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) is a non‑profit entity registered under
the Companies Act, 2013 and is governed by applicable company law provisions and
it functions under its own Memorandum of Association and internal administrative
framework. IRS is one among nine Recognised Organisations aurthorised by the
Government of India to undertake survey and certification functions under the
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. Four recent complaints have been received against
functioning of IRS, which are being examined by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and
Waterways for appropriate action.
(c) & (d) Government of India, under Gazette Notification S.O. 3316(E) dated
26.12.2014 has authorised nine international classification societies including IRS to
undertake statutory surveys and issue or endorse certificate for cargo ships under the
following IMO conventions/ instruments:1. International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS-74)
2. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973/78
(MARPOL-73/78)
3.International Convention on Load Lines, 1966 (ICLL-66) and its 1988 Protocol.
4. International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969
5. Relevant Rules, Orders and Notifications issued under the Merchant Shipping Act,
1958.
Government of India vide Gazette Notification S.O 768(E) dated 07.11.1997 has
appointed IRS as the sole Load Line Assigning Authority under the Merchant Shipping
(Load Line) Rules, 1979, which is an exclusive delegation only to IRS.
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