Publishing Safety of Navigation Rules 2026 under Merchant Shipping act 2025
Issued by Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on 7th August 2026. Classified under Extra Ordinary.
Executive Summary & Key Takeaways
Executive Summary The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Rules, 2026, issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, establish comprehensive safety standards for ships registered in India and foreign vessels in Indian waters. Effective from August 5, 2026, these rules supersede the 1997 regulations to align with the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. Key requirements include mandatory ship reporting, specific equipment standards, and the establishment of search and rescue services.
Key Points / Main Content
Scope and Application
- Applies to all ships registered in India and all other ships within Indian coastal waters.
- Exemptions include warships, naval auxiliaries, pleasure crafts, and vessels not propelled by mechanical means.
- The Nautical Advisor holds the authority to grant conditional or temporary exemptions based on voyage nature and ship design.
Safety Services and Warnings
- The Central Government is responsible for disseminating navigational warnings and providing meteorological services, including storm warnings and weather forecasts.
- Mandatory search and rescue services must be established to coordinate the rescue of persons in distress at sea.
- Hydrographic services will be maintained for the collection and publication of nautical charts and sailing directions.
Ship Operational Requirements
- Routeing and Reporting: Ships must use mandatory routeing systems and participate in designated ship reporting systems.
- Vessel Traffic Services (VTS): Ships must comply with VTS requirements in areas where the volume of traffic or degree of risk justifies such services.
- Manning: Every Indian ship must be sufficiently and efficiently manned in accordance with the "Minimum Safe Manning Document."
- Bridge Visibility: Ships 55 meters or more in length must meet specific bridge visibility standards to ensure a clear view of the sea surface.
Navigational Equipment and Records
- Equipment Standards: Ships must be fitted with approved navigational systems, including AIS (Automatic Identification System), VDR (Voyage Data Recorder), and ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display).
- Log Books: All ships must maintain deck and engine log books, recorded indelibly in English, to document position, speed, and machinery operations.
- Maintenance: Navigational equipment must be maintained in efficient working order; ships may be permitted to sail to the next port for repairs if equipment fails.
Distress and Safety Procedures
- Masters are legally obligated to proceed with all speed to assist persons in distress at sea upon receiving a signal.
- The misuse of international distress signals is strictly prohibited.
- Masters must communicate danger messages regarding ice, derelicts, tropical storms, or sub-freezing air temperatures to nearby ships and authorities.
Administration and Enforcement
- Inspection: Ships are subject to inspections by appointed surveyors to ensure compliance with safety standards.
- Detention: Any ship found to be unsafe or in violation of these rules may be detained.
- Fees: Specific fees are mandated for plan approvals, service station inspections, and the issuance of manning documents (e.g., ₹16,000 for initial manning documents).
Impact Analysis
Ship Owners and Managers Impact They are legally responsible for ensuring their vessels meet all structural, equipment, and manning requirements defined in the rules. Action Required Must apply for Minimum Safe Manning Documents, pay prescribed inspection fees, and ensure all navigational equipment is type-approved and maintained.
Ship Masters and Officers Impact They bear the operational burden of safe navigation, mandatory reporting of dangers, and maintaining accurate legal records. Action Required Must ensure voyage planning is conducted, maintain log books in English, participate in reporting systems, and respond to distress signals.
Seafarers and Crew Impact The rules dictate the working language (English) and mandate specific training and certification for watchkeeping. Action Required Must adhere to strict watchkeeping principles and be proficient in the designated working language of the ship.
Central Government / Nautical Advisor Impact Responsible for the oversight, certification, and provision of public safety services (meteorological, hydrographic, and SAR). Action Required Must establish and maintain communication infrastructure for navigational warnings and conduct regular ship inspections and audits.
Penalties Impact Failure to comply with the rules results in significant financial liabilities. Action Required Non-compliance can lead to fines up to ₹50,000, with additional daily fines of ₹5,000 for continuing breaches.
Key Entities Referenced
Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Rules, 2026: The primary regulatory framework established by this notification to govern navigational safety, communication, manning, and operational procedures for ships in India.
Merchant Shipping Act, 2025: The parent legislation under which the Central Government exercises its power to formulate and notify these navigational safety rules.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The nodal Union Ministry responsible for the administration of maritime transport and the issuance of these safety regulations.
International Maritime Organization (IMO): The global standard-setting authority whose resolutions and recommendations are adopted within these rules to ensure international maritime compliance.
International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974: The fundamental international treaty referenced throughout the document that sets minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment, and operation of merchant ships.
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[Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 1
xxxGIDHxxx
सी.जी.-डी.एल.x-xअxG.-I1D3E0xx8x 2026-275429
CG-DL-E-13082026-275429
EXTRAORDINARY
II— 3— (i)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
. 651] 7 ,2026/ 16,1948
No. 651] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, AUGUST 7, 2026/SHRAVAN 16, 1948
प�न, पोत प�रवहन और जलमाग � मं�ालय
अ�धसूचना
नई �दल्ल�, 5 अगस्त,2026
सा.का.�न. 715 (अ).— केन् द्र�य सरकार, वा�णज्य पोत प�रवहन अ�ध�नयम, 2025 (2025 का 24) क�
धारा 130 क� उप-धारा (1) और के उप-धारा (2) के खंड (क) से (घ) और खडं (ज) द्वारा प्रद� शिक्तयों का
प्रयोग करत े हुए, वा�णज्य पोत प�रवहन अ�ध�नयम, 2025 (2025 का 24) और वा�णज्य पोत प�रवहन
(नौचालन सुरक्षा) �नयम, 1997 को उन बातों के �सवाय अ�धक्रांत करत े हुए, िजन् हें ऐसे अ�धक्रमण स े पूव र्
�कया गया है या करन े का लोप �कया गया है, केन् द्र�य सरकार �नम् न�ल�खत �नयम करती है, अथार्त ् :-
अ�याय- 1
�ारं�भक
1.स�ं��त नाम और �ारंभ (1) इन �नयमों का स�ंक्षप्त नाम वा�णज्य पोत प�रवहन (नौचालन सुरक्षा)
�नयम, 2026 है।
(2) ये राजपत्र में इन के प्रकाशन क� तार�ख को प्रवतृ होंगे।
2. लागू होना - (1) जब तक �क अन्यथा उपब�ं धत न �कया गया हो, ये �नयम वा�णज्य पोत प�रवहन
अ�ध�नयम, 2025 (2025 का 24) के अधीन भारत में पंजीकृत सभी पोतों पर, सभी समदु � यात्राओ ं
पर और भारतीय पोतों को छोड़कर सभी पोतों पर लाग ू होंगे, �नम्न�ल�खत को छोड़कर, तट�य जल में
अथार्त:् -
6131 GI 20262 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)]
2 THEGAZETTEOFINDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
(क) युद्धपोत, नौ सेना सहायक उपस् कर और अन्य पोत जो सरकार के स्वा�मत्व में हैं
या सरकार द्वारा सचं ा�लत हैं और केवल सरकार� गैर-व्यावसा�यक सेवा पर
उपयोग �कए जात े हैं;
(ख) मनोरंजन जलयान;
(ग) यां�त्रक साधनों द्वारा नह�ं चलाए जान े वाल े पोत;
(घ) व्यापार या सचं ालन में �नयोिजत पोत जहा ं पुल व्यवस्था और नौचालन उपस्क र
जहां महा�नदेशक द्वारा अनुमो�दत �कया जा सकता है �वशषे नौचालन
औरप�रचालन अपक्षे ाओ ं के अनुरूप प्रदान �कया जाता है;
और
(ङ) अ�ध�नयम के भाग के अंतगतर् आन े वाले जलयान:
परंत ु यद्ु धपोत, नौसेना सहायकों या सरकार के स्वा�मत्व या सचं ा�लत अन्य पोत और केवल सरकार�
गैर-व्यावसा�यक वा पर उपयोग �कए जात े हैं, जहा ं तक उ�चत और व्यवहाय र् है, इन �नयमों के अनुरूप र��त
सके ाय र् करेंगे।
(2) धकेले जान े वाले और धकेल ने वाल े जलयान क� संघ�टत इकाई न �हलन े वाले जोड़ से जड़ु ी होगी, जब इस े
सम�पतर् और एक�कृत टग और बाज र् संयोजनो के रूप में अ�भकिल्पत �कया गया हो तब इसे इन �नयमों के
हेतु एकल पोत के रूप में समझा जाएगा।
3. प�रभाषाएँ - (1) इन �नयमों में, जब तक �क सदं भ र् अन्यथा अपे�क्षत न हो, -
(क) "अ�ध�नयम" स े वा�णज्य पोत प�रवहन अ�ध�नयम, 2025 (2025 का 24) अ�भप्रेत है;
(ख) "�ब्रज" स े वह क्षेत्र अ�भप्रेत है,जहा ं से पोत का नौचालन और �नयत्रं ण �कया जाता है और इस में
ससु गं त सगं ठन मानकों क� अपक्षे ाओ ं के अनुरूप व्ह�ल हाउस चाटर् रूम और �ब्रज �वगं शा�मल हैं
(ग) �कसी पोत के संबंध में "�न�मर्त" स े �नमार्ण का एक चरण अ�भप्रेत है,जहा ं
I. क�ल रखी गयी है; या
II. एक �व�न�दर्ष्ट पोत के साथ पहचान योग्य �नमार्ण आरंभ होता है; या
III. उस पोतका संयोजन आरंभ होता है िजस में कम स े कम 50 सकल टन भार या सभी
संरचनात्मक सामग्री के अनमु ा�नत द्रव्यमान का 1 प्र�तशत जो भीकम हो शा�मल है;
(घ) "जाइरो कंपास" से जायरोस्कोप के �सद्धांत का उपयोग करन े वाला और ससु गं त सगं ठन मानकों क�
अपक्षे ाओ ं का अनुपालन करन े वाला �दशा �दखान े वाला उपस्क र अ�भप्रेत है।
(ङ) अंतरार्ष्ट्र�य कोड ऑफ �सग्नल्स स े सरु क्षा, आपातकाल�न और सकं ट सदं ेशों के संचार के �लए सगं ठन
द्वारा अनुमो�दत संकेतों का कोड अ�भप्रेत है।
(च) �कसी पोत क� "लबं ाई" स े उसक� समग्र लंबाई अ�भप्रेत है।
(छ) चुंबक�य कम्पास स े ससु गं त संगठन मानकों क� अपेक्षाओ ं का अनुपालन करन े वाला उपस्क र अ�भप्रेत
है।
(ज) मोबाइल अपतट�य �ड्र�लगं इकाई स े सरु क्षा अ�भसमय के �व�नयम 11-2/1.1.5 में प�रभा�षत मोबाइल
अपतट�य �ड्र�लगं इकाई अ�भप्रेत है।[Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 34 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 56 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 78 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 910 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 1112 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 1314 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 1516 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 1718 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 1920 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 2122 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 2324 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 2526 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 2728 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 2930 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 3132 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 3334 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 3536 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 3738 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 3940 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 4142 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 4344 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 4546 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][भागII—ख� ड[3H(kik)x] II [k.M 3(i)] भारत Hकkkाj रrा जdप�k j: kअtसiा=धा र%ण vlk/kkj.k 437
�ारं�भक/वा�षक� /नवीनीकरण/म�यवत� 16,000
3. सेवा �टेशनों का �नर��ण
4. �कसी भी उप�क र के �लए टाइप अनुमोदन 30,000
�ोटोटाइप अनमु ोदन
5. उप� करया अ�य संबं�धत ��त आवेदन . . 5,000
मामलों के �लए �वतरण
6. �व�वध-कोई अ�य अनरु ोध ��त मामला आधार पर 5,000
7. �यूनतम सरु ��त मानवय�ु त एक नया �माण प� जार� करना 10,000
द�तावेज़
8. �यूनतम सरु ��त मानवय�ु त �माणप� का डुि�लकेट ��त जार� 5,000
द�तावेज़ करना
[फा. सं. एसवाई-19014/199/2025-एमजी-भाग(7)]
वेंकटेसप�त एस, संयु�त स�चव
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, 05th August, 2026
G.S.R. 715 (E).— In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clauses (a) to (d), and clause (h)
of sub-section (2) of section 130of theMerchant Shipping Act, 2025 (24 of 2025) and in supersession of the Merchant
Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Rules, 1997, except as respects things done or omitted to be done before such
supersession, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:—48 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 4950 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 5152 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 5354 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 5556 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 5758 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 5960 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 6162 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 6364 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 6566 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 6768 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 6970 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 7172 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 7374 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 7576 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 7778 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 7980 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)][Hkkx II [k.M 3(i)] Hkkjr dk jkti= % vlk/kkj.k 8182 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [Part II—Sec. 3 (i)]
6 THEGAZETTEOFINDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)]
6. Miscellaneous-Any Per Case Basis 5,000
Other Request
7. Minimum Safe Issuance of a new certificate 10,000
Manning Document
8. Minimum Safe Issuance of a duplicate certificate 5,000
Manning Document
[F. No. SY-19014/199/2025-MG-Part(7)]
VENKATESAPATHY S, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.