Section 7. Licence to be produced for port clearance.

(1) No proper officer shall grant clearance to a vessel, other than an Indian vessel, engaging in coasting trade to enter or depart from a port, unless the licensee or agent of such vessel produces the licence granted under section 4. (2) Where any vessel fails to comply with the requirements of this Act, the Director-General or the principal officer or an officer designated by the Central Government in this behalf may, after giving an opportunity of being heard to the licensee or agent of such vessel, by order in writing and for reasons to be recorded therein, detain that vessel until an order is issued for the release of such vessel.