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The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025

Central

An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to regulation of coastal shipping, promote coasting trade and encourage domestic participation therein, to ensure that India is equipped with a coastal fleet, owned and operated by the citizens of India for its national security and commercial needs, and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

Act number
20 of 2025
Ministry
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Enacted
9 Aug 2025

Source: IndiaCode Portal, Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India. Open on India Code Check against the official text before relying on it.

42 sections

  1. Section 1Short title, application and commencement.
  2. Section 2Definitions.
  3. Section 3Prohibition on coasting trade.
  4. Section 4Licence for coasting trade.
  5. Section 5Suspension, revocation or modification of licence.
  6. Section 6Reporting requirements.
  7. Section 7Licence to be produced for port clearance.
  8. Section 8National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan.
  9. Section 9National Database of Coastal Shipping.
  10. Section 10Application of Chapter.
  11. Section 11Requirement of licence by chartered vessels.
  12. Section 12Suspension, revocation or modification of licence granted to chartered vessels.
  13. Section 13Licence granted to chartered vessel to be returned when ceases to be valid.
  14. Section 14No port clearance without production of licence.
  15. Section 15Punishment for participating in coasting trade in contravention of section 3.
  16. Section 16Punishment for participating in coasting trade after licence ceases to be valid.
  17. Section 17Punishment for taking vessel to sea in contravention of section 11.
  18. Section 18Punishment for failure to furnish information or furnishing false information after notice.
  19. Section 19Punishment for violation of order of detention.
  20. Section 20Punishment for illegally detaining person authorised to detain vessel.
  21. Section 21Penalty for reporting false or misleading information.
  22. Section 22Penalty for violation of conditions of licence.
  23. Section 23Penalty for non-compliance of direction of Director-General.
  24. Section 24Penalty for non-compliance with order of Central Government.
  25. Section 25General provision for contravention or non-compliance.
  26. Section 26Compounding of certain offences.
  27. Section 27Special provision regarding punishment.
  28. Section 28Offences by companies.
  29. Section 29Power to enforce detention of vessel.
  30. Section 30Adjudicating officer for imposition of penalty, appeal and procedure therefor.
  31. Section 31Notice in respect of foreign vessel.
  32. Section 32Place of trial and jurisdiction of court.
  33. Section 33Service of documents.
  34. Section 34Power to delegate.
  35. Section 35Power of Director-General to give directions and seek information.
  36. Section 36Power of Central Government to issue directions.
  37. Section 37Power to exempt.
  38. Section 38Protection of action taken in good faith.
  39. Section 39Power of Central Government to make rules.
  40. Section 40Laying of rules and notifications before Parliament.
  41. Section 41Power to remove difficulties.
  42. Section 42Repeal and savings.