New ship entry requirements have been introduced under Rule 6 of the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026. While the Rules have formally come into force, certain aspects of their implementation remain to be clarified. This advisory, which we received from our correspondent, provides guidance on completing the required declaration and offers practical recommendations to help members navigate the new requirements during this transitional period.

Below is the information from GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd:

Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026 – Current position at Indian ports 

Rule 6 of the MS (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Coastal Waters) Rules 2026 [“Rules”] provides that every foreign ship entering into a port or transiting or operating within coastal waters shall maintain a valid salvage contract and marine pollution response contract with a salvor entered into “under the applicable rules made under the Act”.

S.255 of the Merchant Shipping Act 2025 states – “The Central Government may, for the purposes of this Chapter, notify a list of salvors having such qualifications and experience and subject to such terms and conditions as may be prescribed.”

On 15.1.2026, the Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai (now the Directorate General of Maritime Administration) issued Merchant Shipping Notice No.01 of 2026 (attached) which laid down the criteria for empanelment and retention of salvors. The Notice states, “The draft Merchant Shipping (Wreck & Salvage) Rules, 2026 and Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of ships into Coastal Waters) Rules, 2026 mandates every ship entering into or sailing out of any Indian port, terminal, anchorage, or seeking port facilities or Indian offshore facilities within coastal waters shall be required to maintain a valid contract with the Salvors empanelled under the MS Act. The stakeholder consultation for the draft rules has been completed. The said requirements will come into force immediately upon notification of the rules. Considering the fact that the draft rules will be notified shortly, it has been decided to commence the process of empanelment of Salvors based on the criteria given in this notice from 01st Feb 2026.”

However, though the process of empanelment of salvors has started, it appears that as on date, there is no list of salvors notified by the Central Government under S.255 of the Merchant Shipping Act. 

However, Rule 6(2) puts the onus on the operator/ shipping agent to declare to the port authority that the requirements of Rule 6 have been met. Rule 6(8) states that any ship not complying with Rule 6 shall be liable to detention under S.307 of the Merchant Shipping Act. Further, the format of the declaration annexed to the Rules requires the operator/ shipping agent to specifically declare that the ship has a valid salvage contract and a valid marine pollution response contract with a salvor authorised under the applicable rules made under the Act – and accept that any false declaration renders the declarant liable to penalties. 

Whilst there is news that the approach is likely to be flexible and an interim arrangement will soon be in place, the following measures could be followed at the discretion of owners/agents:

1. In the declaration by the operator/ shipping agent, add the following after item 4(d)

– “No list of salvors has been notified under S.255 of the Merchant Shipping Act and this condition is consequently not complied with”

Considering the current position at Indian ports, above may not be necessary at the moment.

Current position at Indian ports

• At all ports in India: Stakeholders are still complying with the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Ports, Anchorages and Offshore Facilities) Rules, 2012.

• Declaration of Agent: All offices continue to use the same existing format. 

• Offices are submitting the P&I Certificate, Class Certificate and other trading certificates, along with the Agent Declaration Form, through the system, and the “Vessel Profile” is being accepted by the respective Port.

• At present, the Ports are not insisting on any additional or new items mentioned in the MS Rules, 2026. Further, there has been no communication from any Port in India requesting submission of any additional items as mentioned in MS Rules 2026.

Therefore, at present the existing requirements under the 2012 Rules continue to be followed at Indian ports.

We will keep Members updated on developments, including the authorised list of salvors by DGMA, which we understand will be published soon. Source – GAC India team & their panel lawyer

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For more information and clarification, please contact our correspondent:

GAC Shipping (India) Pvt Ltd
Phone: +91 44 25221 588
E-mail: pandi.india@gac.com
Web: www.gac.com Emergency phone: +91 982 077 7314

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The information in this Member Alert is provided for guidance only. Members should seek specific advice regarding their individual circumstances. While the Club has taken reasonable care in preparing this publication, it accepts no responsibility for any errors or omissions, or for any consequences arising from reliance on the information contained herein.