In response to Unstarred Question No. 1067 on irregularities in the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), addressed to the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, it is stated that the IRS is a non-profit entity registered under the Companies Act, 2013, governed by company law, and operating under its Memorandum of Association. The IRS is one of nine organizations authorized by the Government of India to conduct surveys and certifications under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. Four recent complaints against the IRS's function are under review by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. The question was submitted by Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy and answered on 05.12.2025. The minister responsible is Shri Sarbananda Sonowal.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The primary ministry responsible for addressing the question regarding irregularities in the Indian Register of Shipping.
Indian Register of Shipping (IRS): A non-profit entity and Recognised Organisation whose functioning is the subject of the question and the subject of complaints.
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: Act under which IRS is authorized to undertake survey and certification functions.
The Companies Act, 2013: Act under which the Indian Register of Shipping is registered.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1067
ANSWERED ON 05.12.2025
IRREGULARITIES IN THE INDIAN REGISTER OF SHIPPING
1067. 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) the number and nature of complaints received during the last ten years
regarding malpractices, irregularities, or delays in the functioning of the Indian Register
of Shipping (IRS), including those received by related Ministries/Departments;
(b) the details of action taken, corrective measures adopted, and punishments
awarded to responsible officials;
(c) the reasons for delays, in resolving such complaints beyond the Citizen’s
Charter timelines alongwith the names of officials accountable;
(d) the list of cases involving IRS pending before authorities, tribunals, or courts;
and
(e) whether the Government proposes to review or restructure IRS to improve
transparency, efficiency, and accountability, is so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (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 tits 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.
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