The Fisheries & Ports Department, Govt. of Kerala on October 14, 2026, issued the Draft Kerala Inland Mechanically Propelled Vessels (Registration and Functions of Registrar of Inland Vessels) Rules, 2026.
The following has been stated:
• The draft rules provide for duplicate and provisional registration certificates, with provisional certificates valid for 90 days, and prescribe procedures for recording mortgages, ownership transfers, modifications and alterations. Registrars shall maintain physical and electronic vessel registries, submit monthly registry reports to the Chief Executive Officer and forward an annual report to the Government and designated authority by January 31 each year. Vessel owners or operators shall prominently display registration details on both sides of the vessel and maintain an information board showing gross registered tonnage, maximum passenger capacity, owner’s name and date of the last survey.
• Registration may be suspended for safety, pollution-control or waste-management deficiencies, ordinarily for 30 days, with notice to the owner within 24 hours. Registration may be cancelled for vessels that are lost, destroyed, abandoned, unfit for service, involved in specified circumstances of disposal, or where defects remain unrectified or registration was obtained through false or erroneous documents. An opportunity of being heard shall be provided before cancellation, and false or fabricated documents may lead to disqualification from fresh registration and legal proceedings. Fees will be governed by the applicable Kerala Inland Vessels fee rules, and amounts paid will be non-refundable.
• Objections and suggestions are invited by November 13, 2026.
[Notification No. - 22/2026/F&P]
