DG Shipping of India issued Merchant shipping Notice 05/2025, Under the Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Ports, Anchorages and Offshore facilities) Rules, 2012 and MSN 02 of 2015 dated 04.03.2015, merchant vessels of 300 gross tons and above, intending to call at Indian ports, are required to comply and furnish a valid Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Insurance Certificates, as an evidence of insurance, as directed by the Central Government in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 457 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958), as amended.
This measure is in alignment to encompass liabilities and compensations arising out of international conventions and applies to all vessels that are subject to such conventions and call at Indian ports and/or transiting in Indian waters.
P&I Insurance provides essential coverage for third-party liabilities, including but not limited to, loss of life and personal injury to crew, passengers and others on board, cargo loss and damage, pollution by oil and other hazardous substances, wreck removal, collision and damage to property. Thereby, any merchant vessel calling at an Indian port is required to maintain and furnish a valid P&I insurance certificate in accordance with the applicable national and international regulations. Furthermore, a Certificate of Insurance or Other Financial Security (CiOFS) issued by a competent authority entitles direct claim from the P&I insurer of the vessel responsible for the damage.
As per the Port Entry Rules 2012, it is mandatory for all vessels entering into or sailing out of Indian Ports and/or transiting in Indian waters to hold a valid P&I Insurance issued either by the International Group of Protection and Indemnity Clubs (IG P&I Club) [accessible here https://www.igpandi.org/group-clubs] or by Insurance Companies authorised by the Central Government [accessible here -https://www.dgshipping.gov.in/Content/InsuranceBranch.aspx].
It has come to the attention of the Directorate that certain incidents have involved P&I insurers declining to compensate pollution claims due to vessels possessing invalid P&I Insurance Certificates, which have been declared invalid by the P&I Insurer for reasons such as non-payment of premiums. This scenario necessitates a rigorous verification process to ensure the validity and authenticity of P&I Certificates.
For more details CLICK HERE