The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPS&W) on October 23, 2026, notified the Merchant Shipping (Ships and Port Facility Security) Rules, 2026.
The following has been stated: -
•The Central Government has notified the Merchant Shipping (Ships and Port Facility Security) Rules, 2026, to regulate the safety and security of Indian ships, foreign ships calling at Indian ports or offshore facilities, port facilities and companies owning, operating or managing such vessels or facilities.
•The rules establish security levels, prescribe ship and port facility security assessments and plans, and define the responsibilities of the Director-General of Maritime Administration, the Bureau of Port Security, company security officers and ship security officers.
•They also provide for security audits, certification, threat assessment and measures to prevent security incidents in accordance with the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code and the Safety Convention.
•The rules empower ship masters to take necessary security decisions and require safety requirements to prevail where safety and security obligations conflict.
They shall come into force on October 27, 2026.
The detailed notification is given in the document below.
[Notification No.: G.S.R. 909(E)]
