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REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
The Gazette of India
CG-UP-E-08072026-274241
EXTRAORDINARY
PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (i)
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 533]
NEW DELHI, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 2026/ASHADHA 16, 1948
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 7th July, 2026
G.S.R. 591(E).— Whereas the draft Marine Aids to Navigation (Vessel Traffic Services) Rules,
2026 which the Central Government proposes to make were published, as required by sub-section (1) of
section 46 of the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021 (20 of 2021) (hereinafter referred to as the said Act),
vide Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways notification number G.S.R. 172 (E), dated the 23rd February,
2026, in the Gazette of India, Extraordinary, Part II, Section 3, Sub-section (i), dated the 11th March, 2026,
inviting objections and suggestions from all the persons likely to be affected thereby, before the expiry of
thirty days from the date on which copies of the Official Gazette containing the said notification were made
available to the public;
And whereas the copies of the said Official Gazette were made available to the public on the
11th March, 2026;
And whereas no objections or suggestions received from the public in respect of the said draft rules
published by the Central Government.
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) and clauses (c) and (d) of sub-
section 2 of section 46 of the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021 (20 of 2021), the Central Government,
hereby makes the following rules, namely: -
1. Short title and commencement.- (1) These rules may be called the Marine Aids to Navigation (Vessel
Traffic Services) Rules, 2026.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.
2. Definitions.- (1) In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -
(a) "Act" means the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021 (20 of 2021);
(b) "competent authority” means the authority appointed by the Central Government under sub-
section (1) of section 12 of the Act;
(c) "vessel traffic service area" means an authorised area declared by the Central Government
under and for the purpose of clause (a) of section 11 of the Act;
(d) "vessel traffic service provider" means any person, authority or organisation declared and
authorised by the Central Government to operate vessel traffic services within a vessel traffic
service area.
(2) Words and expressions used in these rules but not defined herein, but defined in the Act, shall have
the same meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.
3. Category of vessel traffic services.- (1) Vessel traffic services within port or harbor limits, shall be
categorised as port or harbor vessel traffic services and such services shall be established and operated
by the vessel traffic service provider.
(2) Vessel traffic services in coastal waters, including waters of common interest of adjoining ports, as
may be necessary to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of vessels in such area, shall be
categorised as coastal vessel traffic services.
Explanation. - For the purposes of this sub-rule, the expression "waters of common interest of
adjoining ports”, means such contiguous or overlapping navigable waters lying between or adjacent to
the notified limits of two or more adjoining ports, that are identified and notified by the Government;
(3) For the purposes of sub-rule (2), the Central Government or any person, authority or organisation
authorised by it, may establish such services where volume of traffic or degree of risk justifies such
establishment.
4. Competent Authority for vessel traffic services.- (1) The Competent Authority appointed by the
Central Government under sub-section (1) of section 12 of the Act, shall possess a minimum of five
years of professional experience in operation and maintenance of vessel traffic services.
5. Functions of Competent Authority.- (1) The Competent Authority shall discharge all its functions in
accordance with the directions of the Central Government.
(2) The Competent Authority shall discharge the following functions, namely: -
(a) for authorisation of vessel traffic service providers,-
(i) circulate standard procedures and criteria for such authorisation;
(ii) examine and review proposals submitted by vessel traffic service providers for
establishment, modification or expansion of vessel traffic services in an authorised area;
and
(iii) monitor compliance with the conditions of authorisation through inspections, audits and
performance reviews.
(b) with regard to standards for establishment and operation of vessel traffic services,-
(i) assist the Central Government in formulation of standards, guidelines, and
recommendations for establishing and operating vessel traffic services in India, in line
with the recommendations and guidelines issued by the International Organisation for
Marine Aids to Navigation from time to time;
(ii) standardise specification for vessel traffic services' equipment with the prior approval of
the Central Government;
(iii) standardise scale of manning and their qualification with the prior approval of the Central
Government for effective operation of vessel traffic services; and
(iv) promote uniformity and interoperability of vessel traffic services' systems and procedures
across different vessel traffic services areas, as far as practicable.
(c) for ensuring efficient coordination and exchange of information,-
(i) coordinate with vessel traffic service providers, maritime administrations, coastal State
authorities, and other relevant State and Central Government agencies to ensure effective
operation of vessel traffic services; and
(ii) facilitate effective exchange of information between vessel traffic services and State or
Central Government authorities.
(d) for the purpose of audit, review, and continuous improvement of vessel traffic services,-
(i) conduct audits at intervals specified as per the standard procedure approved by the Central
Government for ensuring that the vessel traffic services are complying with the circulated
standards, operational procedures, and service requirements; and
(ii) convey audit findings to vessel traffic service provider with the direction to rectify the
non-compliances, if any, within specified period.
(e) for documentation and record-keeping ensure that,-
(i) adequate records relating to authorisations, certifications, audits, and inspections are
maintained;
(ii) operational data and communications are preserved in accordance with the retention
period specified by the Central Government; and
(iii) confidentiality and data protection requirements are observed.
6. Use of vessel traffic services by vessels. - The Competent Authority may, in accordance with the
guidelines issued by the International Maritime Organisation and International Organisation for Marine
Aids to Navigation, from time to time, advise the Central Government on measures relating to the use of
vessel traffic services by vessels navigating within a vessel traffic service area.
[F. No. LH-11012/4/2021-SL]
MUKESH MANGAL, Addl. 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.
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