Central Government Amends Inland Vessels Survey and Certification Rules

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways issued a notification on August 1, 2025, introducing the Inland Vessels (Survey and Certification) Amendment Rules, 2025. This delegated legislation, published as G.S.R. 517(E) in the Gazette of India, amends the existing Inland Vessels (Survey and Certification) Rules, 2022. The issuance followed a public consultation process, where a draft of the amendments was published on February 25, 2025, inviting objections and suggestions from affected persons. The Central Government duly considered the feedback received from the public before finalizing these amendments. The new rules came into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette.

The amendments introduce several key changes impacting the survey, certification, and operational aspects of inland vessels. A significant clarification was made regarding the calculation of gross tonnage for vessels. For vessels measuring 24 meters and above, gross tonnage will now be calculated according to the International Convention on Tonnage Measurement of Ships, 1969, while for vessels less than 24 meters, it will adhere to rule 3 of the Merchant Shipping (Tonnage Measurement of Ships) Rules, 1987. The rules also updated the reference year from "2022" to "2024" in certain provisions of rule 5. Furthermore, the term "Inland Vessel Certificate of Survey" was simplified to "certificate of survey" in rule 8(1)(b). The requirements for dry dock or slipway inspections were revised, mandating a minimum of two such inspections during the five-year validity period of a certificate, with the interval between any two not exceeding thirty-six months. A notable provision allows for one in-water survey in lieu of a dry dock inspection under specific conditions, such as for vessels less than 20 years old and not operating in saline water. Rule 10 was expanded to include "radio and navigation equipment" and "pollution prevention items" as aspects to be covered during surveys. Rules 9(2), 11, and 22(4) were omitted, streamlining certain procedural aspects. A new sub-rule (7) was inserted in rule 12, requiring the outside of an existing vessel’s bottom to be inspected within twelve months preceding the issue of a certificate of survey.

The legislative intent behind these amendments is to enhance the safety, operational efficiency, and environmental compliance of inland vessels by updating and clarifying the existing regulatory framework. The earlier legal position, governed by the Inland Vessels (Survey and Certification) Rules, 2022, presented certain areas that required refinement, particularly concerning tonnage measurement standards and survey procedures. These amendments address statutory gaps and limitations by providing clearer guidelines for vessel classification and inspection. A major focus of the changes is the comprehensive revision of qualifications for surveyors, ensuring that individuals responsible for inspecting inland vessels possess the requisite expertise and experience. The legislation provided: “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.” This detailed specification for surveyor qualifications aims to ensure a high standard of inspection and certification. Furthermore, Form No. 1 (Application for conducting survey), Form No. 7 (Particulars for Survey of New Vessel), and other related forms (Form No. 2, 4, 5, 9) were substituted or amended to reflect the updated requirements and streamline the application process for vessel owners and operators. Rule 24 and Form No. 6 were also omitted. These amendments are crucial for the effective enforcement of safety and environmental standards in India's inland waterways sector.

Keywords: Inland Vessels, Survey and Certification, Amendment Rules, 2025, Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways, Tonnage Measurement, Surveyor Qualifications, Vessel Inspection, Inland Waterways Act 2021, Delegated Legislation

Geo Tags: India, New Delhi District: Not Applicable