New rules bring foreign vessels passing through Indian coastal waters within the regulatory net, with insurance, classification and emergency-response obligations subject to a transition period until 1 April 2027.
India has widened the regulatory net for ships using its coastal waters, bringing foreign vessels within scope even when they are not heading for an Indian port. The Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026 took effect on 16 September and replace the 2012 port-entry framework, according to HeavyLift PFI and maritime advisory firms tracking the change. The shift matters because the new regime is not limited to ships that berth in India: it also applies to vessels operating in, or merely passing through, Indian coastal waters.
That broader reach turns on the definition of ‘coastal waters’ in India’s Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. As set out in industry guidance, the term covers territorial waters and adjoining maritime zones where India has rights or jurisdiction under domestic law. In practice, that means a foreign ship may fall under the rules even if it never enters an Indian port, anchorage or offshore facility. The absence of a port call does not necessarily remove a vessel from the scope of the regime.
The new rules require foreign ships within scope to maintain valid insurance or other financial security, and port authorities may check that cover when a vessel does call at an Indian port. Older ships face an additional classification test: vessels above the relevant age thresholds must hold a valid class certificate issued by an International Association of Classification Societies member or a recognised organisation. Industry summaries indicate that the age trigger is generally above 10 years for several ship types, including general cargo ships, bulk carriers, offshore support ships, passenger ships, and oil product and chemical tankers, while LNG and LPG tankers are generally caught once they are more than 15 years old.
A more operationally difficult requirement concerns salvage and marine pollution response arrangements. Foreign ships entering, remaining in, sailing from, or operating in Indian coastal waters are expected to have contracts with approved providers, a rule intended to ensure response capability in the event of a casualty or pollution incident. But the market is not yet fully ready for that obligation: the Directorate General of Maritime Administration said in Circular No. 69 of 2026 on 14 October that the approval process for salvors and marine pollution response operators is still under way, which means the contract requirement cannot yet be implemented in full.
For vessels actually calling at an Indian port, the regime also brings back familiar documentation deadlines. Ships seeking port entry must submit the prescribed papers at least 48 hours before arrival. Vessels that are only transiting or otherwise operating in coastal waters may still have to meet the insurance, classification and response-contract rules, even if the 48-hour submission requirement does not apply in the same way.
India has also granted a transitional period to ease the changeover. According to the DGMA and shipping clubs monitoring the framework, ships already operating in, or otherwise allowed into, Indian coastal waters have until 1 April 2027 to comply with the additional requirements. Until then, owners and operators are being advised to watch for further official guidance on contracting arrangements and to seek voyage-specific advice from local agents where needed.
Source Reference Map
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://www.heavyliftpfi.com/shipping/2026/10/26/india-introduces-new-coastal-shipping-requirements/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://gard.no/en/insights/india-introduces-new-requirements-for-ships-in-coastal-waters/ – Gard’s Insights reports that India’s Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026, effective from 16 September 2026, replace the 2012 port-entry rules. These regulations apply to both Indian and foreign ships operating in or transiting Indian coastal waters, regardless of port calls. Key requirements include maintaining valid insurance or financial security, holding appropriate class certificates for older vessels, and having salvage and marine pollution response contracts with approved entities. A transition period until 1 April 2027 allows for compliance with these new obligations.
- https://maritimegazette.com/article/india-notifies-new-2026-rules-on-entry-of-ships-into-coastal-waters-superseding-2012-framework-14550106 – The Maritime Gazette reports that India has notified the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026, on 16 September 2026, superseding the 2012 framework. The new rules broaden the scope to include foreign ships operating in or transiting Indian coastal waters, not just those entering ports. They mandate valid insurance, class certificates for older vessels, and salvage and marine pollution response contracts with approved providers. A six-month transition period until 1 April 2027 is provided for compliance.
- https://www.londonpandi.com/insights-resources/india-six-month-exemption-for-salvage-marine-pollution-response-requirements/ – London P&I reports that India’s Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has granted a six-month exemption until 1 April 2027 for ships to comply with salvage and marine pollution response contract requirements under the new Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026. This extension acknowledges the ongoing process of approving salvors and marine pollution response providers, allowing shipowners and operators time to meet the new obligations.
- https://www.swedishclub.com/news/member-alert/india-new-ship-entry-requirements-rule-6-of-the-2026-coastal-waters-rules/ – The Swedish Club provides guidance on Rule 6 of the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026, which requires foreign ships entering Indian ports or operating within coastal waters to maintain valid salvage and marine pollution response contracts with approved providers. The advisory highlights the current lack of an approved list of salvors and offers practical recommendations for shipowners and agents during this transitional period.
- https://www.londonpandi.com/insights-resources/india-salvage-marine-pollution-response-requirements – London P&I outlines the new requirements under the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026, effective from 16 September 2026. Foreign vessels operating in or transiting Indian coastal waters must now maintain valid salvage and marine pollution response contracts with authorised providers, in addition to insurance and classification certificates. Ships seeking port entry must submit a declaration of compliance at least 48 hours before entering port limits.
- https://indiaseatradenews.com/dgma-allows-temporary-relief-from-immediate-compliance-with-new-coastal-shipping-rules/ – India Seatrade News reports that the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) has granted temporary relief to shipowners and operators from immediate compliance with salvage and marine pollution response contract requirements under the new Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026. DGMA Circular No. 69 of 2026 acknowledges the ongoing process of approving approved providers and allows a six-month transition period until 1 April 2027 for compliance.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article reports on the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026, notified on 16 September 2026, replacing the 2012 framework. (gard.no) The content appears current and relevant, with no evidence of being recycled or outdated. However, the reliance on a single source for the notification date raises concerns about source independence.
Quotes check
Score: 7
Notes: The article includes direct quotes attributed to industry guidance and the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA). (gard.no) However, the absence of direct links to these sources makes it challenging to verify the authenticity and context of the quotes. The lack of verifiable quotes from independent sources is a notable concern.
Source reliability
Score: 6
Notes: The primary source, HeavyLift PFI, is a niche publication focusing on heavy lift and project forwarding logistics. While it may be reputable within its niche, its limited reach and potential biases reduce its overall reliability. The article also references other sources, but without direct links, their credibility cannot be fully assessed. The lack of direct links to primary sources diminishes the overall reliability of the information presented.
Plausibility check
Score: 8
Notes: The article’s claims align with known developments in India’s maritime regulations, such as the enactment of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, and the introduction of new coastal shipping rules. (india-briefing.com) However, the absence of direct links to primary sources and the reliance on a single source for the notification date raise concerns about the completeness and accuracy of the information.