Prepublishing Draft Marine Aids to Navigation (Vessel Traffic Services) Rules, 2026

REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99 The Gazette of India CG-UP-E-12032026-270878 EXTRAORDINARY PART II-Section 3-Sub-section (i) PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY No. 166] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2026/PHALGUNA 20, 1947 1787 GI/2026 MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS NOTIFICATION New Delhi, the 23rd February, 2026 G.S.R. 172(E).—The draft of the Marine Aids to Navigation (Vessel Traffic Services) Rules, 2026, which the Central Government proposes to make, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-sections (2) and (3) of section 12 and section 13, read with sub-section (1) of section 46 and clauses (c) and (d) of sub-section 2 of section 46 of the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021 (20 of 2021), is hereby published, for the information of all persons likely to be affected thereby; and notice is hereby given that the said draft shall be taken into consideration after the expiry of a period of thirty days from the date on which copies of this notification, as published in the Official Gazette, are made available to the public; Objections or suggestions, if any, to these draft rules may be addressed to the Director General, Directorate of Lighthouses and Lightships, Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways, A-13, Sector 24, Noida - 201301, or by email at [email protected], within the period specified above; The objections or suggestions which may be received from any person with respect to the said draft rules, within the period so specified, will be considered by the Central Government. 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 authorized 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 categorized as port or harbor vessel traffic services and such services shall be established and operated by the vessel traffic service provider as authorized by the Central Government as per section 11 of the Act. (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 categorized 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 Central 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. Manner of appointment of Competent Authority for vessel traffic services. (1) The Central Government shall, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint an officer of the Central Government to be the Competent Authority for vessel traffic services under sub-section (1) of section 12 of the Act. (2) The officer appointed under sub-rule (1), shall possess a minimum of five years of professional experience in operation and maintenance of vessel traffic services. 5. Functions of the Competent Authority and the manner of discharge of its functions. (1) The Competent Authority shall discharge all its functions in accordance with the directions of the Central Government. (2) The Competent Authority shall, for the purposes stated hereunder, undertake the following functions, namely: - (a) For authorization 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 for 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, to the extent 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 Organization 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.