Parliament Question: P&I Insurance for Vessels

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5534 ANSWERED ON 27.03.2026 P&I INSURANCE FOR VESSELS 5534. SHRI K. SUDHAKARAN: 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 operational challenges regarding Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurance requirements faced by foreign flag vessels below 300 Gross Tonnage (GRT) at ports of the country, State-wise including Tamil Nadu, particularly Tuticorin Port; (b) whether Rule 3 of the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Ports, Anchorages and Offshore Facilities) Rules, 2012 and Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, 2007, restrict mandatory insurance requirements for vessels 300 GRT and above, if so, the details thereof; (c) whether port authorities are reportedly denying entry to vessels below 300 GRT if their P&I insurance is not from a DG Shipping-recognized provider, despite the aforementioned statutory thresholds, if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether the Government intends to issue a clarification to ensure that essential trade routes, such as the transport of food supplies to Maldives, are not disrupted by the said enforcement ambiguities, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER FOR PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS (SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL) (a) & (b)As per Rule 3 of the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Ports, Anchorages and Offshore Facilities) Rules, 2012, vessels of 300 Gross Tonnage (GT) and above are required to mandatorily maintain valid Protection and Indemnity (P&I) insurance coverage in accordance with the applicable regulatory framework. (c)& (d)The Directorate General of Shipping is not currently in receipt of any such reports. It may be noted that, as per Rule 3 of the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Ports, Anchorages and Offshore Facilities) Rules, 2012, the requirement for insurance coverage applies to vessels of 300 GT and above. Such vessels are required to maintain insurance coverage against maritime claims, either through the International Group of P&I Clubs (IG P&I Group), which is pre-approved, or through any other insurer approved by the Government under the said Rules and notified accordingly.In view of above, no clarification needs to be issued. *****