Survey, audit and certification

Section 144 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 deals with survey, audit and certification. Every Indian vessel, company or port shall unless otherwise exempted by the Central Government, be surveyed or audited or certified for verification of compliance with the conventions specified in section 147 and such requirements for different classes of vessels, company or port, as may be prescrib The Act came into force on 15 Mar 2026.

(1) Every Indian vessel, company or port shall unless otherwise exempted by the Central Government, be surveyed or audited or certified for verification of compliance with the conventions specified in section 147 and such requirements for different classes of vessels, company or port, as may be prescribed.

Explanation.--- In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, "company" shall have the same meaning as assigned to it in clause (a) of section 115.

(2) A surveyor or any person authorised by the Director-General in this behalf may, if satisfied that any vessel, company or port has been surveyed or audited as per the requirements under this Act, grant certificate or documents to such vessel, company or port.

(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act, where any survey or audit of a vessel, company or port under this Part is completed, the owner, agent or master of such vessel, company or port shall not make or cause to be made any alteration in the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements, material, systems or scantlings covered by the survey or audit without the prior permission of the Central Government.

(4) If, after grant of certificates or documents under sub-section (2), the Central Government or any person authorised by it, has reason to believe that changes have been made to the structure, equipment, fittings, arrangements, material, systems or scantlings, or they have sustained any damage or are otherwise found insufficient, then the Central Government or any person authorised by it in this behalf may require that the vessel, company or port be re-surveyed or audited to such extent, as it may deem fit, or it may modify or revoke or suspend or cancel or surrender the certificates and documents, after giving an opportunity of being heard, in such manner as may be prescribed.

(5) No vessel shall proceed to sea unless the owner or master of the vessel holds onboard all the certificates or documents as required under this section.

Section 144, The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 (Act 24 of 2025).