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Core Purpose

The Central Government hereby makes rules to amend the Inland Vessels (Survey and Certification) Rules, 2022, in exercise of powers conferred by the Inland Vessels Act, 2021.

Detailed Summary

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, vide G.S.R. 517(E) dated 1st August, 2025, has enacted the Inland Vessels (Survey and Certification) Amendment Rules, 2025, which come into force on their publication in the Official Gazette. These rules amend the Inland Vessels (Survey and Certification) Rules, 2022 (principal rules, G.S.R. 420(E) dated 7th June, 2022), following public consultation on a draft published as G.S.R. 148(E) dated 25th February, 2025. Key amendments include revising the calculation of gross tonnage in rule 2(1) (vessels 24 meters and above by International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969; less than 24 meters by Rule 3 of Merchant Shipping (Tonnage Measurement of Ships) Rules, 1987). Rule 5 is amended to substitute the year '2022' with '2024'. Rule 8(1) is updated regarding 'certificate of survey' and mandates a minimum of two dry dock or slipway inspections within the five-year validity of a certificate, with intervals not exceeding thirty-six months, allowing for one in-water survey if the vessel is less than 20 years old and not operating in saline water. Rule 9(2), Rule 11, and Rule 24 of the principal rules, along with Rule 22(4), are omitted. Rule 10 is amended to include 'radio and navigation equipment' and 'pollution prevention items' in sub-rule (2). A new sub-rule (7) is inserted in Rule 12, requiring existing vessels to have an outside bottom inspection within twelve months preceding the issue of a certificate. Rule 23, concerning qualifications for appointment as Surveyor, is entirely substituted with detailed requirements for Marine/Mechanical/Electrical Engineers, Naval Architects, Master Mariners, and Diploma holders in shipbuilding, specifying years of experience (e.g., 5 years for Marine Engineer Officer I or II Class, 10 years for Marine Engineer Officer Class III or Master NCV, 7 years for Naval Architecture degree, 15 years for Shipbuilding Diploma). Form No. 1 (Application for Survey), Form No. 7 (Particulars for New Vessel Survey), and various forms (Annexure to Form No. 2, Form No. 4, Form No. 5, Form No. 9) are also substantially revised, including changes to tonnage terminology and signature requirements, while Form No. 6 is omitted.

Full Text

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-DL-E-02082025-265182 EXTRAORDINARY PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 474] NEW DELHI, FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 2025/SHRAVANA 10, 1947 MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 1st August, 2025 G.S.R. 517(E).—Whereas a draft of the Inland Vessels (Survey and Certification) (First Amendment) Rules, 2024 were published, as required under sub-section (1) of section 106 of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021 (24 of 2021), vide notification of the Government of India in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways number G.S.R. 148 (E), dated the 25th February, 2025, in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), dated the 25th February, 2025, inviting objections and suggestions from all persons likely to be affected thereby before the expiry of the period of thirty days from the date on which copies of Gazette containing the said notification were made available to the public; And whereas copies of the said notification were made available to the public on 25th February, 2025; And whereas objections and suggestions received from the public in respect of the said draft rules have been considered by the Central Government. Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (2) of section 9, sub-section (2) of section 10, sub-section (1) of section 11, sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 12, and sub-sections (1) and (3) of section 13 read with clauses (g) to (l) of sub-section (2) of section 106 of the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, the Central Government hereby makes the following rules to amend the Inland Vessels (Survey and Certification) Rules, 2022, namely. 1. (1) These rules may be called as the Inland Vessels (Survey and Certification) Amendment Rules, 2025. (2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in Official Gazette. 2. In the Inland Vessels (Survey and Certification) Rules, 2022 (hereinafter referred to as the said rules), in sub- rule (1) of rule 2, after clause (d), the following explanation shall be inserted, namely: "Explanation. - For the purposes of this sub-rule, gross tonnage of vessels measuring 24 meters and above shall be calculated according to the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969 whereas gross tonnage of vessels with less than 24 meters shall be calculated according to rule 3 of the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage Measurement of Ships) Rules, 1987, as amended from time to time.". 3. In the said rules, in rule 5, in sub rule (1), – (a) In sub rule (1) for the figures "2022", the figures "2024" shall be substituted; (b) In sub rule (2) for the figures "2022", the figures "2024" shall be substituted; 4. In the said rules, in rule 8, in sub-rule (1), – (a) in clause (b), for the words "Inland Vessel Certificate of Survey", the words "certificate of survey" shall be substituted; (b) for clause (c), the following clause shall be substituted, namely: - "(c) a minimum of two inspections in dry dock or slipway, of the outside of the vessel's bottom, carried out during the five-year period of validity of the certificate of survey: Provided that the interval between any two such inspections shall not exceed thirty-six months: Provided further that one inspection in water survey may be allowed in lieu of one inspection in dry dock or slipway, in case any of the following conditions are satisfied, namely: – (i) the vessel is less than 20 years of age; (ii) the vessel is not operating in saline water.". 5. In the said rules, in the rule 9, – (a) in sub rule (1), in clause (a), for the word and figure "sub rule (2)", the words and figures "sub rule (2) of rule 8" shall be substituted; (b) sub rule (2) shall be omitted; 6. In the said rules, in rule 10, (a) in sub-rule (1), for the word and figure "rule 9", the words "this rule" shall be substituted; (b) in sub-rule (2), after sub-clause (j), the following sub-clause shall be inserted, namely: - "(k) radio and navigation equipment; (l) pollution prevention items.”. 7. Rule 11 of the said rules shall be omitted. 8. In the said rules, in rule 12, – (a) in sub-rule (1), for the word and figure "rule 9”, the word and figure “rule 10” shall be substituted. (b) after sub-rule (6), the following sub-rule shall be inserted, namely: "(7) For existing vessels, the outside of the vessel's bottom shall be inspected within twelve months preceding the issue of the certificate of survey under these rules.". 9. In the said rules, in rule 22, sub-rule (4) shall be omitted. 10. In the said rules, for rule 23, the following rule shall be substituted, namely: - "23. Qualifications for appointment as Surveyor. - A surveyor of inland vessels shall possess any of the following qualifications and relevant experience, namely: (a) Marine or Mechanical or Electrical Engineer or Naval Architect in possession of Marine Engineer Officer I or II Class (Motor or Steam) Certificate issued by the Director General of Shipping, Government of India or equivalent certificate recognised by the Government of India and five years of experience after first certificate of competency either in sea going regular vessels or classification societies or ship building yards or reputed international shipping companies or the State Port Department or the State Maritime Board or the Directorate General of Shipping or Mercantile Marine Department or the State Inland Waterways Authority or the Inland Water Transport Directorate or equivalent; or (b) Master Mariner (Foreign going) with five years of sailing experience or experience in maritime training or marine survey after having obtained master's certificate issued by the Director General of Shipping, Government of India or equivalent international certificate; or (c) Marine Engineer Officer Class III (Near Coastal Voyage Vessel-Chief Engineer Officer) Certificate or Master (Near Coastal Voyage Vessel) certificate issued by the Director General of Shipping with minimum ten years of sailing experience of which at least three years' experience in the capacity of Master or Chief Engineer or five years of experience in classification societies or ship building yards or reputed international shipping companies or the State Port Department or the State Maritime Board or the Directorate General of Shipping or the Mercantile Marine Department or the State Inland Waterways Authority or the Inland Water Transport Directorate or equivalent; or (d) a basic degree in Naval Architecture with seven years of experience in sea going regular vessels or classification societies or ship building yards or reputed international shipping corporations or the State Port Department or the State Inland Waterways Authority or the Inland Water Transport Directorate or equivalent; or (e) Diploma in ship building with fifteen years of experience in sea going regular vessels or classification societies or reputed ship building yards or reputed international shipping corporations or the State Port Department or the State Inland Waterways Authority or the Inland Water Transport Directorate or equivalent.”. 11. Rule 24 of the said rules shall be omitted. 12. In the said rules, for Form No. 1, the following form shall be substituted, namely: - "Form No. 1 Form of application for conducting survey of Inland Vessel Date: Place: To, The Designated Authority At Port. Application for (indicate type) Survey of Inland Vessel I/We, the authorised persons under the law hereby apply to you to make necessary arrangement for the Initial/Renewal/Dry Docking/Additional/Annual (strike out the not applicable ones) of the Inland Vessel detailed below. The particulars of the vessel are as under; 1. Name of vessel 2. Official no. of the vessel 3. Port of Registry of vessel 4. Tonnage (i) Gross...............(ii) Net........ 5. Type of the vessel (Passenger, Passenger-cum-cargo, Ro-Pax, Ro-Ro, Cargo, Tanker, Chemical Carrier, LNG Carrier, Tug, Dumb Barge, Survey Vessel, Work Boat, Catamaran Passenger Vessel, Pusher Tug, Dredger, Hydrogen, Hybrid Electric Catamaran or any other type of vessel) 6. Category of the Vessel 7. Year of Build 8. Keel laying Date 9. Name and address of Builder 10. Hull Dimensions (LxBxDxT) 11. Place and date of last survey 12. Type & British Horse Power (BHP) of main propulsion Machinery 13. Details of other machineries 14. Owner's name and address with telephone no. 15. Agent's name and address with telephone no. 16. Date and time of proposed visit of surveyor 17. Place of proposed Survey Signature of Owner/Master/Authorized Person Station Date. Enclosures: 1. Proof of payment of Survey fee and other charges 2. Copy of last Certificate of Survey 3. Copy of Certificate of Registration (if already registered) 4. Document establishing the Authority of Authorised Person (if making request)". 13. In the said rules, in Annexure to Form No. 2, in the table, (a) for heading “Gross Registered Tonnage”, the heading “Gross Tonnage" shall be substituted; (b) for heading “Net Registered Tonnage”, the heading “Net Tonnage” shall be substituted; (c) under the heading "Firefighting item", for the entry "Fire Pumps (Mech)", the following entry shall be substituted, namely: "Fire Pumps (Mech)/(Electrical)". 14. In the said rules, in Form No. 4, (a) after the words "Name of the Engineer or Engine Driver", for the words and letters “Master's COC Grade", the words and letters “Engineer or Engine Driver COC Grade" shall be substituted; (b) for the words "Signed by Chief Surveyor", the words "Signed by Surveyor or Designated Authority, as applicable" shall be substituted. 15. In the said rules, in Form No. 5, (a) in the heading, the words and letter "- Category A Vessel" shall be omitted; (b) below the heading, for the entry "Certificate of Survey No. Zone of operation ", the following shall be substituted, namely: – "Category of vessel Certificate of Survey No Zone of operation (c) for the words "Registered tonnage", the words "Net tonnage" shall be substituted; (d) after the words "Name of the Engineer or Engine Driver", for the words and letters "Master's COC Grade", the words and letters “Engineer or Engine Driver COC Grade” shall be substituted; (e) for the words "Signed by Chief Surveyor", the words "Signed by Surveyor or Designated Authority, as applicable" shall be substituted. 16. Form No. 6 of the said rules shall be omitted. 17. In the said rules, for Form No. 7, the following form shall be substituted, namely: - "Form No. 7 Particulars to be furnished for Survey of New Vessel or Vessels which are to be surveyed for the first time 1. Name of vessel (if already named)/Yard No. 2. Owner's name and address 3. Length, breadth and depth of vessel 4. Type of Vessel. (Passenger, cargo, cargo-cum-passenger, Ro-Ro, Ro-Pax, Chemical Carrier, Liquid Carrier, Tug, Dumb barge, Chemical Carrier, LNG Carrier, Tug, Dumb Barge, Survey Vessel, Work Boat, Catamaran Passenger Vessel, Pusher Tug, Dredger, Hydrogen, Hybrid Electric Catamaran, or any other type of vessel) 5. Particulars of hull (a) Year of built (b) Keel Laying Date (c) Builder's name and address (d) Builder's certificate (e) Material of the hull (Mild Steel/Aluminium/Composite/Others) (f) Number of Bulk heads, their placement and thickness (g) Hull plating material and thickness (h) Frames (material and thickness) (i) Floors (material and thickness) 6. Particulars of propulsion of Engines (a) Number of sets fitted and Sr. No. (b) Manufacturer's name and brand (c) Model Number (d) Year of built (e) Type of Engine with HP of each (f) Stroke Cylinder diameter (g) Diameter of propulsion shaft and material (h) Type and Number of gears (i) Test certificate 7. Particulars of equipment (a) Anchor-Port, Starboard (type, number, weight and Material of each) (b) Anchor-Spare (type, number, weight and material of each equipment) (c) Chain: size type and length and test certificate (Port) (d) Chain: size type and length and test certificate (Starboard) (e) Mooring and Towing Ropes-size, material, breaking strength of rope and number of ropes (f) Search Lights, number, size and power (g) Life buoys, Buoyant apparatus with Self Ignited lights, Number with buoyant lanyard (h) Navigation Lights giving particulars and certificate, main mast, auxiliary mast, port, Starboard, Stem, Anchor not under command (i) Shapes for anchor not under command etc. (j) Sound signals: Mechanical or Electrical 8. Particulars of fire appliance (a) Number, size and capacity of fire pumps (b) Fire mains, diameter, material and number of hydrants (c) Number of hoses (d) Nozzles: (i) Jet type (ii) Spray type (iii) Jet/Spray type (e) Any other equipment 9. Number of portable fire extinguisher with particulars and name of manufactures (a) Soda Acid (b) Foam (c) Dry Powder (d) Any other types 10. Particulars of communication equipment 11. Particulars of navigation equipment 12. Particulars of pollution control devices (a) Sewage treatment and disposal (b) Solid waste processing and disposal (c) Sound Pollution Control (d) Water consumption/day (e) Source of water 13. No. of deck crew No. of engine crew 14. Number of passengers and/or deadweight of the cargo 15. Plans, Drawings, etc.". 16. In the said rules, in Form No. 9, for the words "The Chief Surveyor of Inland Vessels", the words "The Designated Authority" shall be substituted. [F. No. IWT-11011/91/2021-IWT(2)] P. K. ROY, Jt. Secy. Note : The principal rules were published in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), dated the 7th June, 2022, vide notification number G.S.R. 420 (E), dated the 7th June, 2022.

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