The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has introduced an important regulatory update aimed at modernizing and standardizing the construction and design of inland vessels across India. Through a notification issued on 3 December 2025, the Government has officially enacted the Inland Vessels (Design and Construction) (First Amendment) Rules, 2025, marking a significant step toward enhancing maritime safety, vessel quality, environmental compliance, and operational efficiency within the inland waterways sector.
These amendments follow a period of public consultation initiated in February 2025, during which stakeholders were invited to offer objections and suggestions. After careful examination of the feedback received, the Central Government finalized the revised provisions, ensuring they reflect both industry needs and global best practices.
Key Definitions Strengthened for Clarity and Standardization
The amendment introduces several crucial updates to definitions under Rule 3. One major change is the inclusion of the term “approved material”, which now refers to materials certified by classification societies that are members of the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) or compliant with ISO or Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). This ensures inland vessels are built using recognized, durable, and globally accepted materials.
Definitions for gross tonnage, machinery spaces, and classification society requirements have also been refined to align vessel measurement and construction standards with international maritime conventions.
Revised Design & Construction Standards for Vessels Across Zones
A significant part of the amendment focuses on Rules 4 and 5, which specify the standards vessels must follow depending on their category and operating zone.
- Category A vessels operating in Zone 2 and Zone 3 must follow the Schedule standards or classification society norms and be maintained under the authority’s survey, with additional requirements for tankers and Ro-Pax vessels.
- Passenger vessels with travel durations under two hours are exempted from mandatory classification society surveys, easing compliance for local short-route operators.
- Category B vessels face differentiated requirements: those in Zone 1 require classification society surveys, while those in Zone 2 and 3 may follow Schedule standards under designated authority oversight.
A key flexibility introduced is that vessel owners may now choose whether their vessels are designed and maintained under a classification society or a designated authority—an important move toward reducing administrative burdens while upholding safety.
Enhanced Safety, Noise Reduction, and Technical Requirements
The amendments also cover a wide range of technical improvements:
- Noise control in machinery spaces must now meet a stricter 90-decibel limit, with mandatory insulation or protective devices when reduction is not feasible.
- Vessels below 100 gross tonnage in Zone 3 receive updated sill height requirements for watertight integrity.
- Engine indicators may be permitted in smaller vessels (below 300 GT) in lieu of remote controls, offering practical alternatives for compact vessels.
Additionally, provisions related to lashing vehicles on Ro-Ro/Ro-Pax vessels have been strengthened to ensure safer transportation of vehicles across waterways.
Harmonizing with International and National Standards
Across multiple rules, references to standards “specified in the Schedule” are now expanded to include the requirements of classification societies, BIS standards, and relevant international norms. This shift will help Indian inland vessels remain on par with global safety and construction practices, supporting modernization and smoother international compliance.