India introduces new coastal shipping requirements

Foreign ships calling at Indian ports, operating in Indian coastal waters or transiting those waters may fall within an expanded regulatory regime. A transition period applies to specific additional requirements until April 1, 2027.

The 2026 rules came into force on September 16, 2026, and replaced the previous 2012 port-entry rules. The new regulations apply to Indian ships and to foreign ships that operate in or navigate through Indian coastal waters, whether or not they enter an Indian port, anchorage or offshore facility. The absence of an Indian port call, though, does not necessarily place a foreign ship outside the scope of the rules.

The 2026 rules refer to the definition in the Merchant Shipping Act (2025), under section 3(12): “Coastal waters means any part of territorial waters of India, along with any part of the adjoining maritime zones of India within the meaning of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976), or any other law for the time being in force.”

It covers India’s territorial sea and adjoining maritime zones, including areas beyond the territorial sea where India has rights or jurisdiction under the relevant laws.

This story was originally published by Project Cargo Journal. Read the full story at Project Cargo Journal →