Section 69. Port community system and vessel traffic service.

(1) The Central Government may, by notification, direct a port to adopt a mechanism for electronically integrating such port related data as may be notified by the Central Government in consultation with the State Government, with the port community system or any other centralised system. (2) Every port shall maintain vessel traffic service within the port limits in accordance with applicable law. Explanation.---For the purposes of this section, the expressions,--- (a) "port community system" means a secure electronic system integrating the trade related information submitted and exchanged therein, serving as a centralised portal for ports and other relevant stakeholders in accordance with the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic, 1965 or any other requirement as may be directed by the Central Government; (b) "vessel traffic service" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021 (20 of 2021).