NYAYA SIGNAL
Odisha · 1908 · Bare Act

The indian ports Act,1908

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THE INDIAN PORTS ACT, 1908
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__________ 

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
__________ 

CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1.  Title and extent. 

2. Savings. 

3. Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 

POWERS OF THE GOVERNMENT 

4. Power to extend or withdraw the Act or certain portions thereo f. 

5. Alteration of limits of ports. 

6. Power to make port-rules. 

CHAPTER III 

PORT-OFFICIALS AND THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES 

7. Appointment of conservator. 

8. Power of conservator to give and enforce directions for certain specified purposes.  

9. Power to cut warps and ropes. 

10. Removal of obstructions within limits of port.  

11. Recovery of expenses of removal. 

12. Removal of lawful obstructions. 

13. Fouling of Government moorings. 

14. Raising or removal of wreck impeding navigation within limits of port.  

15. Power to board vessels and enter buildings.  

16. Power to require crews to prevent or extinguish fire.  

17. Appointment and powers of health-officer. 

18. Indemnity of Government against act or default of port -official or pilot. 

CHAPTER IV 

RULES FOR THE SAFETY OF SHIPPING AND THE CONSERVATION OF PORTS 

General Rules 

19. Injuring buoys, beacons and moorings. 

20. Wilfully loosening vessel from moorings. 

21. Improperly discharging ballast. 

22. Graving vessel within prohibited limits. 

23. Boiling pitch on board vessel within prohibited limits. 

                                                      
1. Subject to verification and confirmation by the Department. 



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SECTIONS 

24. Drawing spirits by unprotected artificial light. 

25. Warping. 

26. Leaving out warp or hawser after sunset.  

27. Discharge of fire-arms in port. 

28. Penalty on master omitting to take order to extinguish fire.  

29. Unauthorised person not to search for lost stores.  

30. Removing stones or injuring shores of port prohibited.  

Special Rules 

31. Moving of vessels without pilot or permission of harbour-master. 

32. Provision of certain vessels with fire-extinguishing apparatus. 

CHAPTER V 

PORT-DUES, FEES AND OTHER CHARGES 

33. Levy of port-dues. 

34. Variation of port-dues by Government. 

35. Fees for pilotage and certain other services. 

36. Receipt, expenditure and account of port-charges. 

37. Grouping of ports. 

38. Receipts for port-charges. 

39. Master to report arrival. 

40. Conservator may in certain cases ascertain draught and charge expense to master.  

41. Ascertainment of tonnage of vessel liable to port -dues. 

42. Distraint and sale on refusal to pay port-charges. 

43. No port-clearance to be granted until port-charges are paid. 

44. Port-charges payable in one port recoverable at any other port.  

45. Penalty for evading payment of port-charges. 

46. Port-due on vessels in ballast. 

47. Port-due on vessels not discharging or taking in cargo. 

48. Port-due not to be chargeable in certain cases.  

49. Power to impose hospital port-dues. 

50. Application and account of hospital port-dues. 

CHAPTER VI  

HOISTING SIGNALS 

51. Master to hoist number of vessel. 

52. Pilot to require master to hoist  number. 

 53. Penalty on pilot disobeying provisions of this Chapter. 

CHAPTER VII 

PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO PENALTIES 

54. Penalty for disobedience to rules and orders of the Government.  

55. Offences how triable, and penalties how recovered.  



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SECTIONS 

56. Costs of conviction. 

57. Ascertainment and recovery of expenses and damages payable under this   Act. 

58. Costs of distress. 

59. Magistrate to determine the amount to be levied in case of dispute.  

60. Jurisdiction over offences beyond local limits of jurisd iction. 

61. Conviction to be quashed oil merits only.  

CHAPTER VIII 

SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS 

62. Hoisting unlawful colours in port.  

63. Foreign deserters. 

64. Application of sections 10 and 21.  

65. Grant of sites for sailors‟ institutes. 

66. Exercise of powers of conservator by his assistants.  

67. Service of written notices of directions.  

68. Publication of orders of Government.  

68A. Authorities exercising jurisdiction in ports to co-operate in manoeuvres for defence of 
port. 

68B. Duties of the said authorities in an emergency. 

68C. Application of certain provisions of the Act to aircraft.  

68D. Maritime seruity. 

69.[Repealed.]. 

THE FIRST SCHEDULE.—PORTS, VESSELS CHARGEABLE, RATE OF PORT-DUES AND FREQUENCY 

OF PAYMENT. 

THE SECOND SCHEDULE.—[Repealed.]. 



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THE INDIAN PORTS ACT, 1908
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ACT NO. 15 OF 1908 

[18th December, 1908.] 

An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to ports and port-charges. 

WHEREAS it is expedient to consolidate the enactments relating to ports and port-charges; It is hereby 

enacted as follows:—  

CHAPTER  

PRELIMINARY 

1. Title and extent.—(1) This Act may be called the Indian Ports Act, 1908.  

(2) It shall extend, save as otherwise appears from its subject or context, —  

(a) to the ports mentioned in the first schedule, and to such parts of the navigable rivers 

and channels leading to such ports respectively as have been declared to be subject to Act 

XXII of 1855 (for the Regulation of Ports and Port-dues) or to the Indian Ports Act, 1875 (12 

of 1875), or to the Indian Ports Act, 1889 (10 of 1889); 

(b) to the other ports or parts of navigable r ivers or channels to which the 
2
[Government], in exercise of the power hereinafter conferred, extends this Act.  

(3)  But nothing in section 31 or section 32 shall apply to any port, river or channel to which the 

section has not been specially extended by the 
2
[Government]. 

2. Savings.—Nothing in this Act shall—  

(i) apply to any vessel belonging to, or in the service of, 
3
[the Central Government 

or a State Government]  
4
*** or to any vessel of war belonging to any Foreign Prince or 

State, or 

(ii) deprive any person of any right of property or other private right, except as hereinafter 

expressly provided, or 

(iii) affect any law or rule relating to the customs or any order or direction lawfully 

made or given pursuant thereto. 

3. Definitions.—In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or            

context, — 

5
[(1) “Magistrate” means a person exercising powers under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 

(2 of 1974);]
 

(2) “master”, when used in relation to any vessel 
6
[or any aircraft making use of any 

port], means, subject to the provisions of any other enactment for the time being in force, 

any person (except a pilot or harbour-master 
6
[of the port]) having for the time being the 

charge or control of the vessel 
6
[or the aircraft, as the case may be];  

                                                      

1. For Report of Select Committee, see Gazette of India, 1908, Pt. V, p. 359; and for Proceedings in Council, see Gazette of India, 1908, 

Pt. VI, pp. 146, 154 and 182. 

This Act has been supplemented in its application to the port of Cochin by the Cochin Port Act, 1936 (6 of 1936), s. 2 and Sch. 

This Act has been amended in Andhra Pradesh by A.P. Act 18 of 1968, in Pondicherry by Pondy. Act 10 of 1969 and Tamil Nadu by 

T.N. Act 19 of 1975. 

This Act has been extended to Pondicherry on 1-10-1963: vide Reg. 7 of 1963, s. 3 and Sch. I, to the whole of the Union territory of 

Lakshadweep (w.e.f. 1-10-1967): vide Reg. 8 of 1965, s. 3 and Sch., and Goa, Daman and Diu with modifications by Reg. 12 of 

1962, s. 3 and Sch. 
2. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”. 
3. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “His Majesty”. 
4. The words “or the Government of India” omitted by the A.O. 1937.  
5. Subs. by Act 15 of 1997, s. 2, for clause (1) (w.e.f. 9-1-1997). 
6. Ins. by Act 35 of 1951, s. 188. 



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(3) “pilot” means a person for the time being authorised by the 
1
[Government] to pilot vessels; 

(4) “port” includes also any part of a river or channel in which this Act is for the time being in 

force; 

(5) “port officer” is synonymous with master-attendant; 
2
[(6) “ton” means a ton as determined or determinable by the rules made under 

section 74 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958), for regulating the 

measurement of the gross tonnage of ships;]
 

(7) “vessel” includes anything made for the conveyance 
3
[mainly] by water of human beings or of 

property; 
4
[(8) “major port” means any port which the Central Government may by notification in 

in the Official Gazette declare, or may under any law for the ti me being in force have 

declared, to be a major port;  
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[and]

 

(9) “Government”, as respects major ports, for all purposes, and, as respects other 

ports, for the purposes of making rules under clause (p) of section 6 (1) and of the 

appointment and control of port health-officers under section 17, means the Central 

Government, and save as aforesaid, means the State Government.]  
6
*   *   *   *      * 

CHAPTER II 

POWERS OF THE 
1
[GOVERNMENT] 

4. Power to extend or withdraw the Act or certain portions thereof.—(1) 
7
*** The 

1
[Government] 

1
[Government] may, by notification in the Official Gazette,—  

(a) extend this Act to any port
8
 in which this Act is not in force or to any part of any 

navigable river or channel which leads to a port and in which this Act is not in force;  

(b) specially extend the provisions of section 31 or section 32 to any port to which they have not 

been so extended; 

(c) withdraw this Act or section 31 or section 32 from any port or any part thereof in which it is 

for the time being in force. 

(2) A notification under clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1) shall define the limits of the area to 

which it refers. 

(3) Limits defined under sub-section (2) may include any piers, jetties, landing-places, 

wharves, quays, docks and other works made on behalf of the public for convenience of traffic, 

for safety of vessels, or for the improvement, maintenance or good government of the port and its 

approaches, whether within or without high-water-mark, and, subject to any rights of private 

property therein, any portion of the shore or bank within fifty yards of high-water-mark. 

(4) In sub-section (3) the expression “high-water-mark” means the highest point reached by ordinary 

spring tides at any season of the year. 

5. Alteration of limits of ports.—(1) The 
1
[Government] may, 

9
*** subject to any rights of 

private property, alter the limits of any port in which this Act is in force.  

                                                      

1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”.  

2. Subs. by Act 23 of 1992, s. 2, for clause (6) (w.e.f. 24-01-1994). 
3. Ins. by Act 35 of 1951, s. 188. 
4. Added by the A.O. 1937. 
5. Ins. by Act 23 of 1992, s. 2 (w.e.f. 23-1-1994). 
6. Clause (10) ins. by the A.O. 1950, omitted by Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch. 
7. The words “with the previous sanction of the Governor General in Council” omitted by Act 6 of 1916, s. 2. 

8. Extended to the port of MORMUGAO vide G.S.R. 1831, dated 16-11-1963. 

9. The words “with the previous sanction of the Governor General in Council and” omitted by Act 6 of 1916, s. 3.  



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1
[Explanation.—For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that the power coffered on the 

Government by this sub-section includes the power to alter the limits of any port by uniting with that port 

any other port or any part of any other port.] 

(2) When the 
2
[Government] alters the limits of a port under sub-section (1), it shall declare or 

describe, by notification in the Official Gazette, and by such other means, if any, as it thinks fit, the 

precise extent of such limits. 

6. Power to make port-rules.— (1) The 
2
[Government] may, in addition to any rules 

which it may make under any other enactment for the time being in force, make such rules, 

consistent with this Act, as it thinks necessary for any of the following purposes, namely: —  

(a) for regulating the time and hours at and during which, the speed at which, and the manner and 

conditions in and on which, vessels generally or vessels of any class defined in the rules, may enter, 

leave or be moved in any port subject to this Act; 

(b) for regulating the berths, stations and anchorages to be occupied by vessels in any such port; 

(c) for striking the yards and top masts, and for rigging-in the booms and yards, of 

vessels in any such port, and for swinging or taking-in davits, boats and other things 

projecting from such vessels; 

(d) for the removal or proper hanging or placing of anchors, spars and other things 

being in or attached to vessels in any such port: 

(e) for regulating vessels whilst taking-in or discharging passengers, ballast or cargo, or any 

particular kind of cargo, in any such port, and the stations to be occupied by vessels whilst so 

engaged; 

3
[(ee)  for regulating the manner in which oil or water mixed with oil shall be 

discharged in any such port and for the disposal of the same;]  

4
[(eee) for regulating the bunkering of vessels with liquid fuel in any such port and the description 

description of barges, pipe lines or tank vehicles to be employed in such bunkering;]
 

(f) for keeping free passages of such width as may be deemed necessary within any 

such port, and along or near to the piers, jetties, landing-places, wharves, (pays, docks, 

moorings and other works in or adjoining to the same, and for marking out the spaces so to 

be kept free; 

(g) for regulating the anchoring, fastening, mooring and unmooring of vessels in any 

such port; 

(h) for regulating the moving and warping of all vessels within any such port and the use of warps 

therein; 

(i) for regulating the use of the mooring buoys, chains and other moorings in any such port;  

(j) for fixing the rates to be paid 
5
[in a port other than a major port] for the use of such moorings 

when belonging to the 
6
[Government], or of any boat, hawser or other thing belonging to the 

2
[Government]; 

7
[(jj) for regulating the use of piers, jetties, landing places, wharves, quays, 

warehouses and sheds when belonging to the Government;
 

(jja) for fixing the rates to be paid for the use of piers, jetties, landing places,  

wharves, quays, warehouses and sheds of any port, other than a major port, when 

belonging to the Government;]  

                                                      
1. Ins. by Act 17 of 1978, s. 2. 
2. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”. 
3. Ins. by Act 39 of 1923, s. 2. 
4. Ins. by Act 9 of 1925, s. 2. 
5. Ins. by Act 15 of 1997, s. 3 (w.e.f. 9-1-1997). 

6. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “Crown” which had been subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Government”.  
7. Subs. by Act 15 of 1997, s. 3, for clause (jj) (w.e.f. 9-1-1997). 



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1
[(k) for licensing and regulating catamarans plying for hire, and flats and cargo, passenger and 

other boats plying, whether for hire or not, and whether regularly or only occasionally, in or partly 

within and partly without any such port, and for licensing and regulating the crews of any such 

vessels; and for determining the quantity of cargo or number of passengers or of the crew to be 

carried by any such vessels and the conditions under which such vessels shall be compelled to ply for 

hire, and further for the conditions under which any licence may be revoked;
 

(kk) for providing for the fees payable in respect of the services specified in clause  

(k) for any port, other than a major port;]  

(l)  for regulating the use of fires and lights within any such port;  

(m) for enforcing and regultaing the use of signals or signal-lights by vessels by day or by night 

in any such port; 

(n) for regulating the number of the crew which must be on board any vessel afloat 

within the limits of any such port;  

(o) for regulating the employment of persons engaged in cleaning or painting vessels, or in 

working in the bilges, boilers or double bottoms of vessels in any such port; 

2
[(p) 

3
*** for the prevention of danger arising to the public health by the introduction and the 

spread of any infectious or contagious disease from vessels arriving at, or being in, any such port, and 

for the prevention of the conveyance of infection or contagion by means of any vessel sailing from 

any such port, and in particular and without prejudice to the generality of this provision, for— 
 

(i) the signals to be hoisted and the places of anchorage to be taken up by such vessels having 

any case, or suspected case, of any infectious or contagious disease on board, or arriving at such 

port from a port in which, or in the neighbourhood of which, there is believed to be, or to have 

been at the time when the vessel left such port, any infectious or contagious disease; 

(ii) the medical inspection of such vessels and of persons on board such vessels; 

(iii) the questions to be answered and the information to be supplied by masters, pilots and 

other persons on board such vessels; 

(iv) the detention of such vessels and of persons on board such vessels; 

(v) the duties to be performed in cases of any such disease by masters, pilots and other 

persons on board such vessels; 

(vi) the removal to hospital or other place approved by the health-officer and the detention 

therein of any person from any such vessel who is suffering or suspected to be suffering from any 

such disease; 

(vii) the cleansing, ventilation and disinfection of such vessels or any part thereof and of any 

articles therein likely to retain infection or contagion, and the destruction of rats or other vermin 

in such vessels; 

(viii) the disposal of the dead on such vessels;  and]  

(q) for securing the protection from heat of the officers and crew of vessels in any such port by 

requiring the owner or master of any such vessel—  

(i) to provide curtains and double awnings for screening from the sun‟s rays such  

portions of the deck as are occupied by, or are situated immediately above, the quarters of the 

officers and crew; 

                                                      
1. Subs. by Act 15 of 1997, s. 3, for clause (k) (w.e.f. 9-1-1997). 
2. Subs. by Act 4 of 1911, s. 2, for clause (p). 
3. Certain words omitted by the A.O. 1937. 

 



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(ii) to erect windsails so far as the existing portholes or apertures in the deck admit of their 

being used for ventilating the quarters of the officers and. crew; 

(iii) when the deck is made of iron and not wood-sheathed, to cover with wooden planks or 

other suitable non-conducting material such portions of the deck as are situated immediately 

above the quarters of the officers and crew; 

(iv) when the quarters used by the crew and the galley are separated by an iron bulk-head 

only, to furnish a temporary screen of some suitable non-conducting material between such 

quarters and the galley.  

1
*                   *                        *                           *                                                                         * 

(2) The power to make rules under sub-section (1) 
2
*** is subject to the condition of the rules being 

made after previous publication: 

Provided that nothing in this sub-section shall be construed to affect the validity of any rule in force 

immediately before the commencement of the Indian Ports Act, 1889 (10 of 1889) and continued by 

section 2, sub-section (2), of that Act. 

3
[(2A) Every rule made by the State Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after 

it is made, before the State Legislature. 

(2B) Every rule made by the Central Government under this Act shall be laid, as soon as may be after 

it is made, before each House of Parliament, while it is in session, for a total period of thirty days which 

may be comprised in one session or in two or more successive sessions, and if, before the expiry of the 

session immediately following the session or the successive sessions aforesaid, both Houses agree in 

making any modification in the rule or both Houses agree that the rule should not be made, the rule shall 

thereafter have effect only in such modified form or be of no effect, as the case may be; so, however, that 

any such modification or annulment shall be without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done 

under that rule.] 

(3) If any person disobeys any rule made under clause (p) of sub-section (1), he shall be punishable 

for every such offence with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees. 

(4) If a master fails wholly or in part to do any act prescribed by any rule made under                clause 

(p) of sub-section (1), the health-officer shall cause such act to be done, and the reasonable expenses 

incurred in doing such act shall be recoverable by him from such master. 

CHAPTER III  

PORT-OFFICIALS AND THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES 

7. Appointment of conservator.—(1) The 
4
[Government] shall appoint some officer or body of 

persons to be conservator of every port subject to this Act. 

(2) Subject to any direction by the 
4
[Government] to the contrary,—  

(a) in ports where there is a port-officer, the port-officer shall be the conservator; 

(b) in ports where there is no port-officer, but where there is a harbour-master, the harbour-master 

shall be the conservator. 

(3) Where the harbour-master is not conservator, the harbour-master and his assistants shall be 

subordinate to, and subject to the control of, the conservator. 

(4) The conservator shall be subject to the control of the 
4
[Government], or of any 

intermediate authority which 
5
[the Government] may appoint.  

                                                      

1. Sub-section (1A) omitted by Act 26 of 1938, s. 8 .Earlier inserted  by Act 15 of 1922, s. 2   

2. The words, brackets, figure and letter “and sub-section (IA)” omitted by Act 26 of 1938, s. 8. Earlier inserted by 
Act 15 of 1922, s. 2. 

3. Ins. by Act 20 of 1983, s. 2 and Schedule (w.e.f. 15-3-1984). 
4. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”. 
5. Subs., ibid., for “that Government”. 



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8. Power of conservator to give and enforce directions for certain specified 

purposes.—(1) The conservator of any port subject to this Act may, with
 
respect to any vessel 

within the port, give directions for carrying into effect any rule for the time being in force 

therein under section 6. 

(2) If any persons wilfully and without lawful excuse refuses or neglects to obey any lawful 

direction of the conservator, after notice thereof has been given to him, he shall, for every such 

offence, be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees, and in the case of a 

continuing offence with a further fine which may extend to one hundred rupees for every day 

during which, after such notice as aforesaid, he is proved to have wilfully and without lawful 

excuse continued to disobey the direction. 

(3) In case of such refusal or neglect, the conservator may do, or cause to be done, all acts 

necessary for the purpose of carrying the direction into execution, and may hire and employ 

proper persons for that purpose, and all reasonable expenses incurred in doing such acts shall be 

recoverable by him from the person so refusing or neglecting to obey the direction.  

9. Power to cut warps and ropes.—The conservator of any such port may, in case of urgent 

necessity, cut, or cause to be cut, any warp, rope, cable or hawser endangering the safety of any 

vessel in the port or at or near to the entrance thereof.  

10. Removal of obstructions within limits of port.—(1) The conservator may remove, or 

cause to be removed, any timber, raft or other thing, floating or being in any part of any such 

port, which in his opinion obstructs or impedes the free navigation thereof or the lawful use of 

any pier, jetty, landing-place, wharf, quary, dock, mooring or other work on any part of the 

shore or bank which has been declared to be within the limits of the port and is not p rivate 

property. 

(2) The owner of any such timber, raft or other thing shall be liable to pay the reasonable 

expenses of the removal thereof, and if such owner or any other person has without lawful 

excuse caused any such obstruction or impediment, or causes any public nuisance affecting or 

likely to affect such free navigation or lawful use, he shall also be punishable with fine which 

may extend to one hundred rupees. 

(3) The conservator or any Magistrate having jurisdiction over the offence may cause any such 

nuisance to be abated. 

11. Recovery of expenses of removal.—If the owner of any such timber, raft or other thing, 

or the person who has caused any such obstruction, impediment or public nuisance as is 

mentioned in the last foregoing section, neglects to pay the reasonable expenses incurred in the 

removal thereof, within one week after demand, or within fourteen days after such removal has 

been notified in the Official Gazette or in such other manner as the 
1
[Government] by general or 

special order directs, the conservator may cause such timber, raft or other thing, or the materials 

of any public nuisance so removed, or so much thereof as may be necessary, to be sold by 

public auction; 

and may retain all the expenses of such removal and sale out of the p roceeds of the sale, 

and shall pay the surplus of such proceeds, or deliver so much of the thing or materials as 

may remain unsold, to the person entitled to receive the same;  

and, if no such person appears, shall cause the same to be kept and deposited in such manner as the 
1
[Government] directs; 

and may, if necessary, from time to time, realise the expenses of keeping the same, together 

with the expenses of sale, by a further sale of so much of the thing or materials as may remain 

unsold. 

12. Removal of lawful obstructions.—(1) If any obstruction or impediment to the navigation of any 

port subject to this Act has been lawfully made, or has become lawful by reason of the long continuance 

of such obstruction or impediment, or otherwise, the conservator shall report the same for the information 

                                                      
1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”.  



10 

 

of the 
1
[Government], and shall, with the sanction of 

2
[the Government], cause the same to be removed or 

altered, making reasonable compensation to the person suffering damage by such removal or alteration. 

(2) Any dispute arising concerning such compensation shall be determined according to the law 

relating to like disputes in the case of land required for public purposes. 

13. Fouling of Government moorings.—(1) If any vessel hooks or gets foul of any of the 

buoys or moorings laid down by or by the authority of the 
1
[Government] in any such port, the 

master of such vessel shall not, nor shall any other person, except in case of emergency, lift the 

buoy or mooring for the purpose of unhooking or getting clear from the same without the 

assistance of the conservator; 

and the conservator, immediately on receiving notice of such accident, shall assist and 

superintend the clearing of such vessel;  

and the master of such vessel shall, upon demand, pay such reasonable expenses as may be incurred 

in clearing the same. 

(2) Any master or other person offending against the provisions of this section shall, for 

every such offence, be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees.  

14. Raising or removal or wreck impeding navigation within limits of                           

port.—
3
[(1) If any vessel is wrecked, stranded or sunk in any port in such a manner as to 

impede or likely to impede any navigation thereof, the conservator shall give notice to the 

owner of the vessel to raise, remove or destroy the vessel within such period as may be 

specified in the notice and to furnish such adequate security to the satisfaction of the 

conservator to ensure that the vessel shall be raised, removed or destroyed within the said 

period: 

Provided that the conservator may extend such period to such further period as he may 

consider necessary having regard to the circumstances of such case and the extent of its 

impediment to navigation. 

(1A) Where the owner of any vessel to whom a notice has been issued under                            

sub-section (1) fails to raise, remove or destroy such vessel within the period specified in the 

notice or the extended period or fails to furnish the security required of him, the conservator 

may cause the vessel to be raised, removed or destroyed.  

(1B) Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing sub-sections, if the conservator is of the 

opinion that any vessel which is wrecked, stranded or sunk in any port is required to be immediately 

raised, removed or destroyed for the purpose of uninterrupted navigation in such port, he may, without 

giving any notice under sub-section (1), cause the vessel to be raised, removed or destroyed.] 

(2) If any property recovered by a conservator acting 
4

[under sub-section (1A) or            

sub-section (1B)] is unclaimed or the person claiming it fails to pay the reasonable expenses 

incurred by the conservator under that sub-section and a further sum of twenty per cent. of the 

amount of such expenses, the conservator may sell the property by public auction, if the 

property is of a perishable nature, forthwith, and, if it is not of a perishable nat ure, at any time 

not less than 
5
[thirty days] after the recovery thereof.  

(3) The expenses and further sum aforesaid shall be payable to the conservator out of the              

sale-proceeds of the property, and the balance shall be paid to the person entitled to the property 

recovered, or, if no such person appears and claims the balance, shall be held in deposit for payment, 

without interest, to any person thereafter establishing his right thereto: 

Provided that the person makes his claim within three years from the date of the sale.  

                                                      
1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937,  for “Local Government”. 

2. Subs.,  ibid . ,  for “that Government”. 

3. Subs. by Act 23 of 1992, s. 3, for sub-section (1) (w.e.f. 12-8-1992). 

4. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “under sub-section (1)” (w.e.f. 12-8-1992). 

5. Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “two months” (w.e.f. 12-8-1992). 

 



11 

 

1
[(4) Where the sale proceeds of the property are not sufficient to meet the expenses and further 

sum aforesaid, the owner of the vessel at the time the vessel was wrecked, stranded or sunk shall 

be liable to pay the deficiency to the conservator on demand, and if the deficiency be not paid 

within one month of such demand the conservator may recover the deficiency from such owner in 

the manner laid down in sub-section (2) of section 57 for recovery of expenses and damages or in 

any other manner according as the deficiency does not or does exceed one thousand rupees.]
 

15. Power to board vessels and enter buildings.—(1) The conservator or any of his assistants may, 

whenever he suspects that any offence against this Act has been, or is about to be, committed, or 

whenever it is necessary for him so to do in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by this Act, 

and the person appointed under this Act to receive any port dues, fees or other charges 

payable in respect of any vessel, may, whenever it is necessary for him so to do in the 

performance of any duty imposed upon him by this Act,  

either alone or with any other person, board any vessel, or enter any building or place, within the 

limits of any port subject to this Act. 

(2) If the master of the vessel, or any person in possession or occupation of the building or place, 

without lawful excuse, refuses to allow any such person as is mentioned in sub-section (1) to board 

or enter such vessel, building or place in the performance of any duty imposed upon him by this Act, 

he shall for every such offence be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees. 

16. Power to require crews to prevent or extinguish fire.—(1) For the purpose of preventing or 

extinguishing fire in any port subject to this Act, the conservator or port-officer may require the master of 

any vessel within the port to place at his disposal such number as he requires, not exceeding three-fourths, 

of the crew then under the order of such master. 

(2) Any master refusing or neglecting to comply with such requisition shall be punishable with 

fine which may extend to five hundred rupees, and any seaman then under his orders who, after 

being directed by the master to obey the orders of the conservator or port -officer for the purpose 

aforesaid, refuses to obey such orders, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to                 

twenty-five rupees. 

17. Appointment and powers of health-officer.—(1) The 
2
[Government] may appoint at any port 

subject to this Act an officer to be called the health-officer. 

(2) A health-officer shall, subject to the control of the 
2
[Government], have the following powers, 

within the limits of the port for which he is appointed, namely:—  

(a) with respect to any vessel, the powers conferred on a shipping-master by the Indian Merchant 

Shipping Act, 1859
3
 (1 of 1859), section 71; 

(b) power to enter on board any vessel and medically examine all or any of the seamen or 

apprentices on board the vessel; 

(c) power to require and enforce the production of the log-book and any other books, papers or 

documents which he thinks necessary for the purpose of enquiring into the health and medical 

condition of the persons on board the vessel; 

(d) power to call before him and question for any such purpose all or any of those persons and to 

require true answers to any questions which he thinks fit to ask; 

(e) power to require any person so questioned to make and subscribe a declaration of the truth of 

the statements made by him. 

18. Indemnity of Government against act or default of port-official or pilot.—The Government 

shall not be responsible for any act or default of any conservator, port-officer or harbour-master, of any 

                                                      
1. Ins. by Act 55 of 1952, s. 2.  

2. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”. 

3. See now the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958).  

 



12 

 

port subject to this Act, or of any deputy or assistant of any of the authorities aforesaid, or of any person 

acting under the control or direction of any such authority, deputy or assistant, or for any act or default of 

any pilot, or for any damage sustained by any vessel in consequence of any defect in any of the moorings, 

hawsers or other things belonging to the Government which may be used by the vessel: 

Provided that nothing in this section shall protect 
1
[the Government] from a suit in respect of any act 

done by or under the express order or sanction of the Government. 

CHAPTER IV 

RULES FOR THE SAFETY OF SHIPPING AND THE CONSERVATION OF PORTS 

General Rules 

19. Injuring buoys, beacons and moorings.—(1) No person shall, without lawful excuse, lift, injure, 

loosen or set adrift any buoy, beacon or mooring fixed or laid down by, or by the authority of, the 
2
[Government], in any port subject to this Act. 

(2) If any person offends against the provisions of this section, he shall for every such offence be 

laible, in addition to the payment of the amount of damage done, to fine which may extend to two 

thousand rupees, or to imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years. 

20. Wilfully loosening vessel from moorings.—If any person wilfully and without lawful excuse 

loosens or removes from her moorings any vessel within any such port without leave or authority from 

the owner or master of the vessel, he shall, for every such offence, be punishable with fine which may 

extend to two hundred rupees, or with imprisonment for a term which may extend to six months. 

21. Improperly discharging ballast.—(1) No ballast or rubbish, and no other thing likely to form a 

bank or shoal or to be detrimental to navigation, shall, without lawful excuse, be cast or thrown into any 

such port or into or upon any place on shore from which the same is liable to be washed into any such 

port, either by ordinary or high tides, or by storms or land-floods 
3
[and no oil or water mixed with oil 

shall be discharged in or into any such port, to which any rules made under clause (ee) of sub-section (1) 

of section 6 apply, otherwise than in accordance with such rules]. 

(2) Any person who by himself or another so casts or throws any ballast or rubbish or any such other 

thing 
3
[or so discharges any oil or water mixed with oil], and the master of any vessel from which the 

same is so cast, 
4
[thrown or discharged], shall be punishable with fine which may extend to 

5
[five lakh 

rupees], and shall pay any reasonable expenses which may be incurred in removing the same. 

(3) If, after receiving notice from the conservator of the port to desist from so casting or throwing any 

ballast or rubbish or such other thing 
3
[or from so discharging any oil or water mixed with oil], any master 

continues so to cast, 
6
[throw or discharge the same], he shall also be liable to simple imprisonment for a 

term which may extend to 
7
[one year and to fine which may extend to five lakh rupees]. 

(4) Nothing in this section applies to any case in which the ballast or rubbish or such other thing is 

cast or thrown into 
8
[or the oil or water mixed with oil is discharged in or into] any such port with the 

consent in writing of the conservator, or within any limits within which such act may be authorised by the 
2
[Government]. 

22. Graving vessel within prohibited limits.—If any person graves, breams or smokes any vessel 

in any such port, contrary to the directions of the conservator, or at any time or within any limits at or 

                                                      
1.  The words “the Secretary of State for India in Council” successively subs. by the A.O. 1937 and the A.O. 1950, 

to read as above. 

2.  Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government.  

3.  Ins. by Act 39 of 1923, s. 3.  

4.  Subs. by s. 3, ibid., for “or thrown”. 

5.  Subs. by Act 23 of 1992, s. 4, for “five hundred rupees” (w.e.f. 12-8-1992). 

6.   Subs. by Act 39 of 1923, s. 3, for “or throw it”. 

7.  Subs. by Act 23 of 1992, s. 4, for “two months” (w.e.f. 12-8-1992). 
8. Ins. by Act 39 of 1923, s. 3. 



13 

 

within which such act is prohibited by the 
1
[Government], he and the master of the vessel shall for 

every such offence be punishable with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees each.  

23. Boiling pitch on board vessel within prohibited limits.—If any person boils or heats any 

pitch, tar, resin, dammer, turpentine, oil, or other such combustible matter on board any vessel within 

any such port, or at any place within its limits where such act is prohibited by the 
1
[Government], or 

contrary to the directions of the conservator, he and the master of the vessel shall for every such 

offence be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees each.  

24. Drawing spirits by unprotected artificial light.—If any person, by an unprotected artificial 

light, draws off spirits on board any vessel within any port subject to this Act, he and the master of the 

vessel shall for every such offence be punishable with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees each. 

25. Warping.—(1) Every master of a vessel in any port subject to this Act shall, when required 

so to do by the conservator, permit warps or hawsers to be made fast to the vessel for the purpose of 

warping any other vessel in the port, and shall not allow any such warp or hawser to be let go until 

required so to do. 

(2) A master offending against sub-section (1) shall be punishable for every such offence with fine 

which may extend to two hundred rupees. 

26. Leaving out warp or hawser after sunset.—(1) A master of a vessel shall not cause or 

suffer any warp or hawser attached to his vessel to be left out in any port subject to this Act after 

sunset in such a manner as to endanger the safety of any other vessel navigating in the  port. 

(2) A master offending against sub-section (1) shall be punishable for every such offence with fine 

which may extend to two hundred rupees. 

27. Discharge of fire-arms in port.—If any person, without lawful excuse, discharges any firearm in 

any port subject to this Act, or on or from any pier, landing place, warp or quay thereof, except a gun 

loaded only with gunpowder for the purpose of making a signal of distress, or for such other purpose as 

may be allowed by the 
1
[Government], he shall for every such offence be punishable with fine which may 

extend to fifty rupees. 

28. Penalty on master omitting to take order to extinguish fire.—If the master of any vessel in 

which fire takes place while lying in any such port wilfully omits to take order to extinguish the fire or 

obstructs the conservator or the port-officer, or any person acting under the authority of the conservator or 

port-officer, in extinguishing or attempting to extinguish the fire, he shall be punishable with 

imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees or 

with both. 

29. Unauthorised person not to search for lost stores.—(1) No person, without the permission of 

the conservator, shall, in any port subject to this Act, creep or sweep for anchors, cables or other stores 

lost or supposed to be lost therein. 

(2) If any person offends against the provisions of sub-section (1), he shall be punishable with fine 

which may extend to one hundred rupees. 

30. Removing stones or injuring shores of port prohibited.—(1) No person without the permission 

of the conservator shall in any port subject to this Act remove or carry away any rock, stones, shingle, 

gravel, sand or soil or any artificial protection from any part
 
of the bank or shore of the port; 

and no person shall sink or bury in any part of such bank or shore, whether the same is public 

or private property, any mooring-post, anchor or any other thing, or do any other thing which is 

likely to injure or to be used so as to injure such bank or shore, except with the permission of the 

conservator, and with the aid or under the inspection of such person, if any, as the conservator may 

appoint to take part in or overlook the performance of such work. 

                                                      
1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”.  

 

 



14 

 

(2) If any person offends against sub-section (1), he shall for every such offence be punishable with 

fine which may extend to one hundred rupees and shall pay any reasonable expenses which may be 

incurred in repairing any injury done by him to the bank or shore. 

Special Rules 

31. Moving of vessels without pilot or permission of harbour-master.—(1) No vessel of 

the measurement of two hundred tons or upwards shall enter, leave or be moved in any port to 

which this section has been specially extended without having a pilot, harbour -master or assistant 

of the port-officer or harbour-master on board; 

1
[and no mechanically propelled vessel of any measurement less than two hundred tons and no 

other vessel of any measurement less than two hundred tons and exceeding one hundred tons] shall 

enter, leave or be moved in any such port without having a pilot, harbour-master or assistant of the 

port-officer or harbour-master on board, unless authority in writing so to do has been obtained from 

the conservator or some officer empowered by him to give such authority.
 

2
[Provided that the 

3
[Government] may, by notification in the Official Gazette, direct that in any port 

specified in such notification the provisions of this sub-section shall not apply to sailing vessels of any 

measurement not exceeding a measurement so specified.]
 

4
[(2) Notwithstanding anything in sub-section (1), the owner or master of a vessel which is by 

that sub-section required to have a pilot, harbour-master or assistant of the port-officer or harbour-

master on board, shall be answerable for- any loss or damage caused by the vessel or by any fault 

of the navigation of the vessel, in the same manner as he would have been if he had not been so 

required by that sub-section:
 

Provided that the provisions of this sub-section shall not take effect till the first day of January, 

1918, or such earlier date as the Central Government may notify in that behalf in the Official 

Gazette.] 

5
[(3)] If any vessel, except in case of urgent necessity, enters, leaves or is moved in the port contrary 

to the provisions of sub-section (1), the master of the vessel shall for every such offence be punishable 

with fine which may extend to two hundred rupees, unless upon application to the proper officer the 

master was unable to procure a pilot, harbour-master or assistant of the port-officer or harbour-master to 

go on board the vessel.
 

6
*   *   *   *        * 

32. Provision of certain vessels with fire extinguishing apparatus.—(1) Every vessel exceeding 

the measurement of two hundred tons and lying in any port to which this section has been specially 

extended shall be provided with a proper force pump and hose and appurtenances, for the purpose of 

extinguishing any fire which may occur on board. 

(2) The master of such a vessel who, having been required by the conservator to comply with 

the provisions of sub-section (1), neglects or rufuses, without lawful excuse, so to do for the space 

of seven days after such requisition, shall be punishable with fine which may extend to five 

hundred rupees. 

  

                                                      
1. Subs. by Act 55 of 1952, s. 3, for certain words.  

2. Ins. by Act 36 of 1925, s. 2. 

3. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Governor-General in Council”. 

4. Ins. by Act 6 of 1916, s. 5.  

5. Sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) re-numbered as sub-sections (3), (4) and (5) respectively by s. 5, ibid. 

6. Sub-sections (4) and (5), as re-numbered by Act 6 of 1916, s. 5, omitted by Act 36 of 1925, s. 2.  

 



15 

 

CHAPTER V 

PORT-DUES, FEES AND OTHER CHARGES 

33. Levy of port-dues.—(1) 
1
[Subject to the, provisions of sub-section (2)], in each of the 

ports mentioned in the first schedule 
2
[other than a major port] such port-due, not exceeding the 

amount specified for the port in the third column of the schedule as the 
3
[Government], directs, 

shall be levied on vessels entering the port and described in the second column of t he schedule, 

but not oftener than the time fixed for the port in the fourth column of the schedule.  

1
[(2) The 

3
[Government] may, by notification in the Official Gazette, alter or add to any 

entry in the first schedule relating to ports 
4
[in 

5
[any State] or, as the case may be, in the State], 

State], and this power shall include the power to regroup any such ports:  

6
*        *             *              *            * 

7
[(3)] Whenever the 

1
[Government], 

8
*** declares any other port 

2
[other than a major port] to be 

to be subject to this Act, it may, 
9
*** by the same or any subsequent declaration, further 

declare,—  

(a) in the terms of any of the entries in the second column of the first schedule the 

vessels which are to be chargeable with port -dues on entering the port,  

(b) the highest rates at which such dues may be levied in respect of vessels chargeable therewith, 

and 

(c) the times at which such vessels are to be so chargeable. 

10
*        *             *              *            * 

7
[(4)] All port-dues now leviable in any port shall continue to be so leviable until it is 

otherwise declared in exercise of the powers conferred by this section.
 

7
[(5)] An order increasing or imposing port-dues under this section shall not take effect till 

the expiration of 
11

[thirty days] from the day on which the order was published in the Official 

Gazette.
 

12
[34. Variation of port dues by Government.—The Government may after consulting,—  

(a) in case of ports other than major ports, the authority appointed under section 36; 

(b) in case of major ports, the Authority constituted under section 47A of the Major Port Trusts 

Act, 1963 (38 of 1963), 

exempt, subject to such conditions, if any, as it thinks fit to impose, any vessel or class of vessels 

entering a port subject to this Act from payment of port-dues and cancel the exemption, or may 

vary the rates at which port dues are to be fixed in the port, in such manner as, having regard to 

the receipts and charges on account of the port it thinks expedient, by reducing or raising the 

dues, or any of them or may extend the periods for which any vessel or class of vessels entering a 

port shall be exempt from liability to pay port-dues: 

Provided that the rates shall not in any case exceed the amount authorized to be taken by or under this 

Act.] 

                                                      

1. Ins. by Act 6 of 1916, s. 6. 
2. Ins. by Act 15 by 1997, s. 4 (w.e.f. 9-1-1997). 
3. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government.” 
4. subs., ibid., for “within its own province.” 
5. The words “British India” successively subs. by the A.O. 1948; and the A.O. 1950 to read as above. 
6. Proviso omitted by the A.O. 1937. 
7. Sub-sections (2), (3) and (4) re-numbered as sub-sections (3), (4) and (5) respectively by Act 6 of 1916, s. 6.  
8. Certain words omitted by Act 6 of 1916, s. 6.  
9. The words “with the like sanction” omitted by s. 6, ibid. 
10. The proviso ins. by s. 6, ibid. Earlier omitted by the A.O. 1937. 
11. Subs. by Act 23 of 1992, s. 5, for “sixty days” (w.e.f. 12-8-1992). 
12. Subs. by Act 15 of 1997, s. 5, for s. 34 (w.e.f. 9-1-1997). 



16 

 

35. Fees for pilotage and certain other services.—(1) Within any port subject to this Act 
1
[not being a major port], fees may be charged for pilotage, hauling„ mooring, re-mooring, 

hooking, measuring and other services rendered to vessels, at such rates as the 
2
[Government], 

may direct: 
3
*                  *              *               *              * 

(2) The fees now chargeable for such services shall continue to be chargeable unless and until they 

are altered in exercise of the power conferred by sub-section (1). 
4
[(3) The Government may, in special cases, remit the whole or any portion of the fees 

chargeable under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2).
 

36. Receipt, expenditure and account of port-charges.—(1) The 
2
[Government] shall 

appoint some officer or body of persons at every port at which any dues, fees or other 

charges are authorised to be taken by or under this Act to receive the same and, subject to the 

control of the 
2
[Government], to expend the receipts on any of the objects authorised by this 

Act.  

(2) Such officer or body shall keep for the port a distinct account, to be called the port 

fund account, showing, in such detail as the 
2
[Government] prescribes, the receipts and 

expenditure of the port, and shall publish annually as soon after the first day of Apr il as may 

be practicable an abstract, in such form as 
5
[the Government] prescribes, of the account for 

the past financial year: 
6
[Provided that the port fund account for any port may, if so authori sed under the provisions 

of any Act relating to such port, be merged with the general account of that port, and in such a 

case, the provisions of sub-section (6) shall not apply and the provisions of sub-sections (4) and 

(5) shall have effect as if for the words “the port fund account of the port” therein, the words 

“the general account of the port” had been substituted.]
 

7
*    *   *     *              * 

(4) All money received under this Act at or on account of any port subject to this Act,  

excluding receipts on account of pilotage but including -  
8
[(a) fines other than those creditable to the pilotage. account of the port under            

sub-section (5a)], 

(b) proceeds of waifs, and  

(c) any balance of the proceeds of a sale under section 14 where no right to the 

balance has been established on a claim made within three years from the date of the 

sale,  

shall be credited in the port fund account of the port.  

 (5) All expenses incurred for the sake of any such port, excluding expenses on account of pilotage 

but including—  

(a)  the pay and allowances of all persons upon the establishment of the port,  

(b) the cost of buoys, becons, lights and all other works maintained chiefly for the benefit 

of vessels being in or entering or leaving the port or passing through the rivers or channels 

leading thereto, 

                                                      
1. Ins. by Act 15 of 1997, s. 6 (w.e.f. 9-1-1997). 
2. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”. 
3. The original proviso was omitted by Act 6 of 1916, s. 8, and the proviso ins. by Act 11 of 1929, s. 3, omitted by the  

   A.O. 1937. 
4. Ins. by Act 35 of 1951, s. 190. 
5. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “that Government.” 
6. Ins. by Act 35 of 1951, s. 191.  
7 Sub-section (3) omitted by Act 6 of 1916, s. 9.  
8. Subs. by Act 35 of 1951, s. 191, for cl. (a).  

 



17 

 

(c) pensions, allowances and gratuities of persons who have been employed in the port under this 

or any other enactment relating to ports and port dues, or such portion of those pensions, allowances 

and gratuities as the 
1
[Government] may by rule determine. 

(d) with the previous sanction of the 
1
[Government], contributions towards the support of 

public hospitals or dispensaries suitable for the receiption or relief of seamen or otherwise towards 

the provision of sanitary superinendence and medical aid for the shipping in the port and for 

seamen whether ashore or afloat, belonging to vessels in the port, and 

(e) with the like sanction, contributions towards sailors‟ homes, institutes, rest-houses and coffee-

houses and for other purposes connected with the health, recreation and temporal well-being of 

sailors, 

shall be charged to the port fund account of the port.  
2
[(5a) All fees charged for pilotage at any port subject to this Act 

3
[other than a major port] and 

and all fines and penalties levied under the Act or under any other Act relating to the port from 

pilots or other persons employed in the pilot service other than fines and penalties imposed by a 

court, shall be credited to a distinct account to be called the pilotage account of the port.
 

(5b) All sums so credited to the pilotage account may be applied, in such proportions as the 

Government may from time to time direct, to the following purposes, namely:—  

(a) the purchase and maintenance in repair of such vessels, and the supply of such materials, 

stores or other things as the officer or body appointed under sub-section (1) may deem it necessary to 

purchase, maintain or supply for the efficiency of the pilot service; 

(b) the payment of the salaries, wages and allowances of pilots and other persons employed in the 

pilot service or in the supervision thereof: 

(c) the payment of pensions, retiring gratuities, compassionate allowances or bonuses to pilots 

and other persons engaged in the pilot service, and of the contributions, if any, duly authorised to be 

made in their behalf to any provident fund or welfare fund; 

(d) the payment of pensions, gratuities and compassionate allowances granted by the 

officer or body appointed under sub-section (1) to pilots and other persons engaged in the 

pilot service who have been injured in the execution of their duty and to the surviving 

relatives of pilots and other persons so engaged who have been killed in the execution of their 

duty or who may die while still in the service of such officer or body; 

(e) the provision of educational, recreational and other amenities for pilots and other persons 

employed in the pilot service; 

(f) the payment of contributions or appropriations to any special fund or funds established 

under the provisions of any other Act relating to the port to which the officer o r body 

appointed under sub-section (1) considers contributions or appropriations should be made 

from the pilotage account; 

 (g) any other expenditure which may, with the previous sanction of the Government, be incurred 

in respect of the pilot service. 

(5c) If the officer or body appointed under sub-section (1) at any port is also the authority 

responsible for maintaining the general account of the port, then notwithstanding the absence of 

any provision in that behalf in the Act under which such general account is maintained, such 

officer or body may, with the previous sanction of the Government, apply any sum out of the 

moneys credited to such general account towards meeting deficits, if any, in the pilotage account of 

the port, or transfer the whole or any part of any surplus funds, in the pilotage account to the 

general account of the port.] 

                                                      

1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”.  
2. Ins. by Act 35 of 1951, 8. 191. 
3. Ins. by Act 23 of 1992, s. 6 

 



18 

 

(6) Subject to the provisions of any local law as to the disposal of any balance from time to time 

standing to the credit of a port fund account 
1
[or of a pilotage account], any such balance may be 

temporarily invested in such manner as the 
2
[Government], may direct. 

37. Grouping of ports.—(1) The State Government may direct that for the purposes of the last 

foregoing section any number of ports 
3
[in the State not being major ports] shall be regarded as 

constituting a single port, and thereupon all moneys to be credited to the port fund account under 

sub-section (4) of that section shall form a common port fund account which shall be available for 

the payment of all expenses incurred for the sake of any of the ports: 

4
*    *        *          *          *  

(2) Where ports are grouped by or under this Act, the following consequences ensue, namely:—  

(a) the State Government, in the exercise of its control over expenditure debitable to the 

common port fund account of the group, may, 
5
*** make rules with respect to the expenditure 

of the fund for the sake of the several ports of the group on the objects  authorised by this Act  
5
***; and 

(b) by the State Government may exercise its authority under section 34 as regards all the ports in 

the group collective by or as regards any of them separately. 

38. Receipts for port-charges.—The person to whom any dues, fees or other charges 

authorized to be taken by or under this Act are paid shall grant to the person paying the same a 

proper voucher in writing under his hand, describing the name of his office, the port or place at 

which the dues, fees or other charges are paid, and the name, tonnage and other proper description 

of the vessel in respect of which the payment is made. 

39. Master to report arrival.—(1) Within twenty-four hours after the arrival within the limits 

of any port subject to this Act of any vessel liable to the payment of port -dues under this Act, the 

master of the vessel shall report her arrival to the conservator of the port. 

(2) A master failing without lawful excuse to make such report within the time aforesaid shall for 

every such offence be punishable with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees. 

(3) Nothing in this section applies to tug-steamers, ferry steamers or river steamers plying to and from 

any of the ports subject this Act.
6
*** 

40. Conservator may in certain cases ascertain draught and charge expense to master.—If any 

vessel liable to the payment of port-dues is in any such port without proper marks on the stem and stern 

posts thereof for denoting her draught, the conservator may cause the same to be ascertained by means of 

the operation of hooking, and the master of the vessel shall be liable to pay the expenses of the operation. 

41. Ascertainment of tonnage of vessel liable to port-dues.—In order to ascertain the tonnage of 

any vessel liable to pay port-dues the following rules shall be observed, namely:—  

(1) (a) If the vessel is a British registered vessel or a vessel registered under the Indian 

registration of Ships Act, 1841 (10 of 1841), or the Indian Registration of Ships Act, (1841) 

Amendment Act, 1850 (11 of 1850), or under any other law for the time being in force for the 

registration of vessels in 
7
[India], the conservator may require the owner or master of the vessel 

or any person having possession of her register to produce the register for inspection.  

  

                                                      
1. Ins. by Act 35 of 1951, s. 191. 
2. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”.  
3. Ins., ibid. 
4. The proviso omitted, ibid. 
5. Certain words omitted, ibid. 
6. Certain words omitted by the A.O. 1948. 
7. The words “British India” successively amended by the A.O. 1948, the A.O. 1950 and Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch., to read as 

above. 

 



19 

 

(b) if the owner or master or such person neglects or refuses to produce the register or 

otherwise to satisfy the conservator as to what is the true tonnage of the vessel in respect of 

which the port-dues are payable, he shall be punishable with fine which may extend to one 

hundred rupees, and the conservator may cause the vessel to be measured, and the tonnage 

thereof to be ascertained, according to the mode of measurement prescribed by the rules for the 

time being in force for regulating the measurement of British vessels, and in such case the 

owner or master of the vessel shall also be liable to pay the expenses of the measurement. 

(2) If the vessel is not a British registered vessel or a vessel registered under the Indian 

Registration of Ships Act, 1841 (10 of 1841), or the Indian Registration of Ships Act (1841) 

Amendment Act, 1850 (11 of 1850), or under any other law for the time being in force for the 

registration of vessels in 
1
[India], and the owner or master thereof fails to satisfy the conservator 

as to what is her true tonnage according to the mode of measurement prescribed by the rules for  

the time being in force for regulating the measurement of British vessels, the conservator shall 

cause the vessel to be measured' and the tonnage thereof to be ascertained, according to the mode 

aforesaid, and in such case the owner or master of the vessel shall be liable to pay the expenses 

of the measurement. 

(3) If the vessel is a vessel of which the tonnage cannot be ascertained according to the mode of 

measurement mentioned in clauses (1) and (2), the tonnage of the vessel shall be determined by the 

conservator on such an estimate as may seem to him to be just. 

42. Distraint and sale on refusal to pay port-charges.—If the master of any vessel in respect of 

which any port-dues, fees or other charges are payable under this Act, refuses or neglects to pay the 

same on demand, the authority appointed to receive such port-dues, fees or other charges may 

distrain or arrest the vessel, and the tackle, apparel and furniture belonging thereto or any part 

thereof, and detain the same until the amount due is paid; 

and in case any part of the port-dues, fees or other charges or of the costs of the distress or 

arrest or of the keeping of the vessel or other thing distrained or arrested remains unpaid for the 

space of five days next after any such distress or arrest, may cause the vessel or other thing 

distrained or arrested to be sold, and with the proceeds of such sale may satisfy the port -dues, fees 

or other charges and the costs including the costs of the remaining unpaid, and shall render the 

surplus, if any, to the master of the vessel upon demand. 
2
[Provided that where such vessel or other thing is already arrested under the order of a court or other 

authority, the authority appointed to receive port-dues, fees or other charges, may sell the vessel or other 

thing only with the prior permission of such court or other authority and satisfy the port-dues, fees or 

other charges and the costs including costs of sale remaining unpaid, and disburse the surplus, if any, in 

accordance with the orders or directions of such court or other authority: 

Provided further that the person to whom the vessel or other thing is sold under this section shall 

be deemed to be the owner thereof and registered as such under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958].  

43. No port-clearance to be granted until port-charges are paid.—The officer of                              

Government whose duty it is to grant a port-clearance for any vessel shall not grant such clearance—  

(a) until her owner or master, or some other person, has paid or secured to the satisfaction of 

such officer the amount of all port-dues, fees and other charges, and of all fines, penalties and 

expenses to which the vessel or her owner or master is liable under this Act, 

(b) until all expenses, which by the Merchant Shiping Act, 1894 (57 & 58 Vict., c. 60.), section 

207, are to be borne by her owner incurred since her arrival in the port from which he seeks clearance, 

have been paid. 

44. Port-charges payable in one port recoverable at any other port.—(1) If the master of any 

vessel in respect of which any such sum as is mentioned in the last foregoing section is payable causes her  

 

                                                      
1. The words “British India” successively amended by the A.O. 1948, the A.O. 1950 and Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and Sch., to read as above. 
2. The proviso inserted by Act 23 of 1992, s. 7 (w.e.f. 12-8-1992). 



20 

 

to leave any port without having paid the sum, the authority appointed to receive port-dues, fees and other 

charges at the port under this Act may require in writing the authority appointed to receive port-dues, fees 

and other charges under this Act at any other port in 
1
[India] to which she may proceed, or in which she 

may be, to levy the sum. 

(2) The authority to whom the requisition is directed shall proceed to levy such sum in the 

manner prescribed in section 42, and a certificate purporting to be made by the authority appointed to 

receive port-dues, fees and other charges at the port where such sum as is mentioned in the last 

foregoing section became payable, stating
-
 the amount payable, shall be sufficient prima facie proof 

of such amount in any proceeding under section 42 and also (in case the amount payable is disputed) 

in any subsequent proceeding under section 59. 

45. Penalty for evading payment of port-charges.—(1) If the master of a vessel evades the 

payment of any such sum as is mentioned in section 43, he shall be punishable with fine which may 

extend to five times the amount of the sum. 

(2) In any proceeding before a Magistrate on a prosecution under sub-section (1), any such certificate 

as is mentioned in section 44, sub-section (2), stating that the master has evaded such payment, shall be 

sufficient prima facie proof of the evasion, unless the master shows to the satisfaction of the Magistrate 

that the departure of the vessel without payment of the sum was caused by stress of weather, or that there 

was lawful or reasonable ground for such departure. 

(3) Any Magistrate having jurisdiction under this Act in any port to which the vessel may proceed, or 

in which she may he found, shall be deemed to have jurisdiction in any proceeding under this section. 

46. Port-due on vessels in Ballast.—A vessel entering any port 
2
[not being a major port] subject to 

this Act 
3
*** in ballast and not carrying passengers shall be charged with a port-due at a rate to be 

determined by the 
4
[Government] and not exceeding three-fourths of the rate with which she would 

otherwise be chargeable. 

47. Port-due on vessels not discharging or taking in cargo.—When a vessel enters a port 
5
[not being a major port] subject to this Act, but does not discharge or take in any cargo or 

passengers therein (with the exception of such unshipment and reshipment as may be necessary 

for purposes of repair), she shall be charged with a port-due at a rate to be determined by the 
4
[Government] and not exceeding half the rate with which she would otherwise be chargeable.  

48. Port-due not to be chargeable in certain cases.—No port-due shall be chargeable in 

respect of—  

(a) any pleasure yacht, or 

(b) any vessel which, having left any port, is compelled to re -enter it by stress of 

whether or in consequence of having sustained any damage, or  

(c) any vessel which, having entered 
6
[any port 

7
[in the territories which, immediately before the 

1st November, 1956, were comprised in the States of Madras and Andhra] or the Port of Gopalpur in 

the State of Orissa], leaves it within forty-eight hours without discharge or taking in any passengers 

or cargo. 

49. Power to impose hospital port-dues.—(1) The 
4
[Central Government] may, by notification in 

the Official Gazette, order that there shall be paid in respect of every vessel entering any port subject to 

this Act, within a reasonable distance of which there is a public hospital or dispensary suitable for the 

                                                      

1. The words “British India” successively amended by the A.O. 1948, the A.O. 1950 and Act 3 of 1951, s. 3 and 

Schedule to read as above. 
2. Ins. by Act 15 of 1997, s. 7 (w.e.f. 9-1-1997). 
3. Certain words omitted by the A.O. 1937. 
4. Subs., ibid., for “Local Government”. 
5. Ins. by Act 15 of 1997, s. 8 (w.e.f. 9-1-1997). 

6. Subs. by Act 35 of 1950, s. 3 and Second Schedule,  for certain words. 
7. Subs. by the A.O. (No. 2), 1956, for “in the State of Madras or in the State of Andhra”. The words in italics were ins. by the 

Andhra (Adaptation of Laws on Union Subjects) Order, 1954 (w.e.f. 1-10-1953). 

 



21 

 

reception or relief of seamen requiring medical aid, such further port-dues not exceeding one anna per ton 

as the 
1
[Central Government] thinks fit. 

(2) Such port-dues shall be called hospital port-dues, and the 
1
[Central Government] shall, in 

making any order under sub-section (1), have regard to any contributions made under section 36, 

sub-section (5), clause (d). 

(3) An order imposing or increasing hospital port-dues shall not take effect till the expiration of sixty 

days from the day on which the order was published in the Official Gazette. 

(4) Whenever the 
1
[Central Government] is satisfied that proper provision has been made 

by the owners or agents of any class of vessels for giving medical aid to the seamen employed 

on board such class of vessels, or that such provision is unnecessary in the case of any class of 

vessels, it may, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt such class of vessels from any 

payment under this section. 

50. Application and account of hospital port-dues.—(1) Hospital port-dues shall be applied, 

as the 
1
[Central Government] may direct, to the support of any such hospital or dispensary as 

aforesaid, or otherwise for providing sanitary superintendence and medical aid for the shipping in 

the port in which they are levied and for the seamen belonging to the vessels therein, whether 

such seamen arc ashore or afloat. 

(2) The 
1
[Central Government] shall publish annually in the Official Gazette, as soon after the first 

day of April as may be, an account, for the past financial year, of the sums received as hospital port-dues 

at each port where such dues arc payable, and of the expenditure charged against those receipts. 

(3) Such account shall be published as a supplement to the abstract published under section 36,            

sub-section (2). 

CHAPTER VI  

HOISTING SIGNALS 

51. Master to hoist number of vessel.—(1) The master of every inward or outward bound 

vessel, on arriving within signal distance of any signal-station established within the limits of the 

river Hooghly, or within the limits of any part of a river or channel leading to a port subject to this 

Act, shall, on the requisition of the pilot in charge of the vessel, signify the name of the vessel by 

hoisting the number by which she is known, or by adopting such other means to t his end as may be 

practicable and usual, and shall keep the signal flying until it is answered from the signal -station. 

(2) If the master of a vessel arriving as aforesaid offends against sub-section (1), he shall be 

punishable for every such offence with fine which may extend to one thousand rupees. 

52. Pilot to require master to hoist number.—(1) Every pilot in charge of a vessel shall require the 

number of the vessel to be duly signalled as provided by the last foregoing section. 

(2) When, on such requisition from the pilot, the master refuses to hoist the number of a 

vessel, or to adopt such other means of making her name known as may be practicable and 

usual, the pilot may, on arrival at the first place of safe anchorage, anchor the vessel and refuse 

to proceed on his course until the requisition has been complied with.  

53. Penalty on pilot disobeying provisions of this Chapter.—Any pilot incharge of a vessel 

who disobeys, or abets disobedience to, any of the provisions of this Chapter, shall be punishab le 

with fine which may extend to five hundred rupees for each instance of such disobedience or 

abetment, and, in addition, shall be liable to have his authority to act as a pilot withdrawn.  

CHAPTER VII 

PROVISION WITH RESPECT TO PENALTIES 

54. Penalty for disobedience to rules and orders of the Government.—If any person 

disobeys any rule or order which a 
1
[Government] has made in pursuance of this Act and for the 

                                                      
1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”.  



22 

 

punishment of disobedience to which express provision has not been made elsewhere in this Act, 

he shall be punishable for every such offence with fine which may extend to one hundred rupees. 

55. Offences how triable, and penalties how recovered.—All offences against this Act shall 

be triable by a Magistrate, and any Magistrate may, by warrant under his hand, cause the amount 

of any fine imposed upon the owner or master of any vessel, for any offence committed on board 

of the vessel or in the management thereof or otherwise in relation thereto, whereof the owner or 

master is convicted, to be levied by distress and sale of the vessel, and the tackle, apparel and 

furniture thereof, or so much thereof as is necessary.  

56. Costs of conviction.—(1) In case of any conviction under this Act, the convicting 

Magistrate may order the offender to pay the costs of the conviction in addition to any fine or 

expenses to which he may be liable. 

(2) Such costs may be assessed by the Magistrate and may be recovered in the same 

manner as any fine under this Act.  

57. Ascertainment and recovery of expenses and damages payable under this Act.—(1) If any 

dispute arises as to the sum to be paid in any case as expenses or damages under this Act, it shall be 

determined by a Magistrate upon application made to him for that purpose by either of the disputing 

parties. 

(2) Whenever any person is liable to pay any sum, not exceeding one thousand rupees, as expenses or 

damages under this Act, any Magistrate, upon application made to him by the authority to whom the sum 

is payable, may, in addition to or instead of any other means for enforcing payment, recover the sum as if 

it were a fine. 

58. Cost of distress.—Whenever any fine, expenses or damages is or are levied under this Act, by 

distress and sale, the cost of the distress and sale may be levied in addition to such fine, expenses or 

damages, and in the same manner. 

59. Magistrate to determine the amount to be levied in case of dispute.—If any dispute 

arises concerning the amount leviable by any distress or arrest under this Act or .the costs payable 

under the last foregoing section, the person making the distress or using the arrest may detain the 

goods distrained or arrested, or the proceeds of the sale thereof, until the amount to be levied has 

been determined by a Magistrate, who, upon application made to him for that purpose, may 

determine the amount, and award such costs to be paid by either of the parties to the other of them 

as he thinks reasonable, and payment of such costs, if not paid on demand, shall be enforced as if 

they were a fine. 

60. Jurisdiction over offences beyond local limits of jurisdiction.—(1) Any person offending 

against the provisions of this Act in any port subject to this Act shall be punishable by any Magistrate 

having jurisdiction over any district .or place adjoining the port. 

(2) Such Magistrate may exercise all the powers of a Magistrate under this Act, in the same manner 

and to the same extent as if the offence had been committed locally within the limits of his jurisdiction, 

notwithstanding that the offence may not have been committed locally within such limits, and, in case 

any such Magistrate exercises the jurisdiction hereby vested in him, the offence shall be deemed, for all 

purposes, to have been committed locally within the limits of his jurisdiction. 

61. Conviction to be quashed on merits only.—(1) No conviction, order or judgment of any 

Magistrate under this Act shall be quashed for error of form or procedure, but only on the merits, and it 

shall not be necessary to state, on the face of the conviction, order or judgment, the evidence on which it 

proceeds. 

(2) If no jurisdiction appears on the face of the conviction, order or judgment, but the depositions 

taken supply that defect, the conviction, order or judgment shall be aided by what so appears in the 

depositions. 

  



23 

 

CHAPTER VIII 

SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS 

62. Hoisting unlawful colours in port.—(1) If any vessel belonging to 
1
[any citizen of India or 

commonwealth citizen] or sailing under 
2
[Indian or British colours], hoists, carries or wears, within 

the limits of any port subject to this Act, any flag, jack, pennant or colours, the use whereof on board 

such vessel has been prohibited by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 (57 & 58 Viet., c. 60) or any 

other Statute now or hereafter to be in force, or by any proclamation made or to be made in 

pursuance of any such Statute, or by any of 
3
[the regulations] in force for the time being, the master 

of the vessel shall, for every such offence, be punishable with fine .which may extend to fifty rupees.  

(2) Such fine shall be in addition to any other penalty recoverable in respect of such an offence. 

(3) The conservator of the port, or any officer of 
4
[the Indian Navy], may enter on board any such 

vessel and seize and take away any flag, jack, pennant or colours so unlawfully hoisted, carried or worn 

on board the same. 

63. Foreign deserters.—Any Magistrate, upon an application being made to him by the Consul 

of any foreign Power to which section 238 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1894 (57 & 58 Vict., c. 

60) has, by an Order in Council 
5
[or order], been, or shall hereafter be, declared to be applicable, or 

by the representative of such Consul, and upon complaint on oath of the desertion of any seaman. 

not being a slave, from any vessel of such Foreign Power, may, until a revocation of such order in 

Council 
5
[or order] has been publicly notified, issue his warrant for the apprehension of any such 

deserter, and, upon due proof of the desertion, may order him to be conveyed on board the vessel 

to which he belongs or, at the instance of the Consul, to be detained in custody until the vessel is 

ready to sail, or, if the vessel has sailed, for a reasonable time not exceeding one month:  

Provided that a deposit be first made of such sum as the Magistrate deems necessary for the 

subsistence of the deserter during the detention and that the detention of the deserter shall not be 

continued beyond twelve weeks. 

64. Application of sections 10 and 21.—(1) The provisions of sections 10 and 21 shall be applicable 

to all ports heretofore or hereafter declared by the 
6
[Government] to be ports for the shipment and landing 

of goods but not otherwise subject to this Act, and may be enforced by any Magistrate to whose ordinary 

jurisdiction any such port is subject. 

(2) Any penalties imposed by him, and any expenses incurred by his order, under the said provisions, 

shall be recoverable respectively in the manner provided in sections 55 and 57. 

(3) In any of the said ports for the shipment and landing of goods the consent referred to in            

section 21, sub-section (4), may be given by the principal officer of customs at such port or by any other 

officer appointed in that behalf by the 
6
[Government]. 

65. Grant of sites for sailors’ institutes.—Any local authority in which any immovable 

property in or near a port is vested may, 
7
[with the previous sanction, in the case of cantonment 

authority or the port authority of a major port, of the Central Government, and in other cases, of the 

State Government], appropriate and either retain and apply, or transfer by way of gift or otherwise, 

the whole or any part of the property as a site for, or for use as, a sailors‟ home or other institution 

for the health, recreation and temporal well-being of sailors. 

                                                      
1. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “any of His Majesty‟s subjects”. 

2. Subs., ibid., for “British colors”. 

3. Subs., ibid., for “His Majesty‟s regulations”. 
4. Subs. by the A.O. 1950, for “His Majesty‟s Navy or the Royal Indian Navy”.  
5. Ins., ibid. 
6. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”.  
7. Subs., ibid., for “with the previous sanction of the Local Government”.  

 



24 

 

66. Exercise of powers of conservator by his assistants.—(1) All acts, orders or directions by 

this Act authorized to be done or given by any conservator may, subject to his control, be done or 

given by any harbour-master, or any deputy- or assistant of such conservator or harbour-master. 

(2) Any person authorised by this Act to do any act may call to his aid such assistance as may be 

necessary. 

67. Service of written notices of directions.—Any written notice of direction given under this Act, 

left for the master of any vessel with any person employed on board thereof, or affixed on a conspicuous 

place on board of the vessel, shall, for the purposes of this Act, be deemed to have been given to the 

master thereof. 

68. Publication of orders of Government.—Every declaration, order and rule of a 
1
[Government] 

made in pursuance of this Act shall be published in the Official Gazette, and a copy thereof shall be kept 

in the office of the conservator and at the custom-house, if any, of every port to which the declaration, 

order or rule relates, and shall there be open at all reasonable times to the inspection of any person 

without payment of any fee. 
2
[68A. Authorities exercising jurisdiction in ports to co-operate in manoeuvers for 

defence of port.—Every authority exercising any powers or jurisdiction in. or relating to, any 

port to which this Act for the time being applies shall, if so required by an officer authori sed by 

general or special order of the Central Government in this behalf, co -operate in such manner, as 

such officer may direct, in carrying out any manoeuvers in connection with any scheme or 

preparations for the defence of the said port in time of war, and for this purpose shall, if so 

required, temporarily place at the disposal of such officer the services of any of its staff and the 

use of any of its vessels, property, equipment or other material:
 

Provided, firstly, that if any vessels arc placed at the disposal of such officer in accordance 

with this section, the Central Government shall, in respect of the period during which they are so 

at his disposal, bear the running expenses of such vessels, and be responsible for any damage 

thereto. 

Explanation.—The expression „running expenses‟ in this proviso includes all outlay incurred 

in connection with the use of the vessels other than any charges for their hire, or for the wages 

of the officers and crews of such vessels: 

Provided, secondly, that any officer making a requisition under this section shall exercise 

his powers in such a way as to cause as little disturbance to the ordinary business of the port as 

is compatible with the exigencies of the efficient carrying out of the manoeuvers:  

Provided, thirdly, that no suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against any authority for 

any default occurring by reason only of compliance with a requisition under this section.  

68B. Duties of the said authorities in an emergency.—Whenever the Central Government 

is of opinion that an emergency has arisen which renders it necessary that the duties imposed for 

the purposes specified in section 68A on the authorities therein mentioned, or other duties of a 

like nature, should be imposed on such authorities  continuously during the existence of the 

emergency, it may, by general or special order, authorise any officer to require the. said 

authorities to perform such duties until the Central Government is of opinion that the  

emergency has passed, and the said authority shall comply accordingly, and the provisions of 

the said section shall apply subject to the following modification, namely:  — 

The Central Government shall pay any authority, on whom a requisition has been made,  

such compensation for any loss or damage attributable to such requisition, and for any 

services rendered or expenditure incurred in complying therewith as, in default of agreement, 

shall be decided to be just and reasonable, having regar d to the circumstances of the case, by 

the arbitration of a person to be nominated in this behalf by the Central Government, and the 

decision of such person shall be final.]  

                                                      
1. Subs. by the A.O. 1937, for “Local Government”.  

2. Ins. by Act 6 of 1916, s. 11. 



25 

 

1
[68C. Application of certain provisions of the Act to aircraft.—(1) The provisions of 

sections 6, 13 to 16 (both inclusive), 18, 21 and 28, sub-section (2) of section 31 and sections 33, 

34, 35, 39, 42 to 48 (both inclusive) and 55 shall apply in relation to all aircraft making use of any 

port subject to this Act, while on water as they apply in relation to vessels.
 

(2) No such aircraft shall enter or leave any port subject to this Act, except with the 

permission granted by the Conservator of the Port or by such other officer as may be 

authorized in this behalf by the Conservator.]  
2
[68D. Maritime security.—A port facility in India shall comply with all the requirements 

contained in Chapter IXB of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958) or the rules made 

thereunder so far as they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Act.  

Explanation.— For the purposes of this section, the expression “port facility” shall have the 

same meaning as assigned to it in Part IXB of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of 1958).] 

69. [Repeal.] Rep. by the Repealing Act, 1938 (1 of 1938), s. 2 and Sch. 

                                                      
1. Ins. by Act 35 of 1951, s. 192. 
2. Ins. by Act 40 of 2007, s. 7. 



26 

 

1
THE FIRST SCHEDULE 

(See sections 1 and  33) 

Ports,  vessels chargeable, rate of port -dues and frequency of payment  

2
[PART I—MAJOR PORTS 

 

Name of Port Vessels Chargeable Rate of port dues 

per ton 

Due how often chargeable 

in respect of same vessel 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

Calcutta 
3
* * * 

Paradip 
3
* * * 

Visakhapatnam 
3
* * * 

    

Explanation:— “Outer Harbour” means the portion of the Visakhapatnam Port limits    with the 

following coordinates; namely:—  

 

WEST : A line drawn towards North along the Eastern boundary of S. No. 9 o f Dolphin‟s Nose 

Village from the junction point of S. Nos. 3, 4, 9 and 10 i.e., at the point Lat. 17° 41' 

11”.3 N and Long. 83° 17' 35” E across the channel till it touches Muncipal boundary, in 

T. No. 469 i.e, at the point Lat. 17° 41' 17”.3 N and Long. 83° 17' 35”.2E and thence 

towards North along the field boundary of S. Nos. 10 and 12 of Dolphin‟s Nose Village 

up to the South Eastern point of T.S. 303 of Fort Ward. Visakhapatnam Town thence 

towards North East, along eastern edge of the beach road till coinciding with the 

Western end of Groyne No. 2 at the point Lat. 17° 41' 47 ” N Long. 83° 18' 03” .4E. 

 

NORTH : From the point of Lat. 17° 41' 47” N. and Long. 83° 18' 03” .4E towards East along the 

centre line of Groyne No. 2 till coinciding with East break water at Lat. 17° 41' 32” 

.6N. Long 83° 18' 29” .8E. 

 

EAST :    A line drawn towards South from the point of Lat. 17° 41' 32” .6N Long. 83° 18' 29” 

.8E till the point coinciding with East break water South and at Lat. 17° 41' 14 ” .93 N. 

Long. 83° 18' 29” .3E thence a line drawn towards South East till the point coinciding 

with East end of South break water at Lat. 17° 41' 01” .43 N. Long. 83° 18' 49” .12E. 

 

SOUTH :  A line drawn towards West South West direction from the point with Lat. 17° 41' 01 ” 

.43N Long 83° 18' 49” .12E till the point coinciding with Eastern boundary of S. No. 

I I of Dolphin's Nose Village at the point Lat. 17° 40' 36” .7N Long 83° 17' 49” .8E 

and thence towards North along Eastern boundary S. No. 11 of Dolphin's Nose 

Village till the point of interception of S. Nu. 10 of Dolphins's Nose Village between 

F. Lines 109 and 71 and towards West to meet junction point of S. Nos. 3. 4. 9, 10 of 

Dolphin's Nose Village i.e., at the point Lat. 17° 41' 11” .3N and Long. 83° 17' 35” E 

approximately. 

                                                      
1. This Schedule is liable to variation by notifications of State Governments, and for any change thereof 

notifications of the States concerned should be consulted.  

2. Subs. by notification No. G.S.R. 257(E), dated 1 -5-1978, Gazette of India, Pt. II, s. 3(i), p. 398, for the 

heading and the major ports of Calcutta and Paradip and the entries relating thereto.  
3 .  Entries under cols.  (2) , (3)  and (4) omitted by Act 15 of 1997.  s .  9  (w.e. f.  9 -1-1997).  

 



27 

 

 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

Madras 
1*

 * * 

New Tuticorn 
1*

 * * 

Cochin 
1*

 * * 

New Mangalore 
1*

 * * 

Mormugao 
1*

 * * 

Bombay 
1*

 * * 

Kandla 
1*

 * * 

 

PART II.—RESERVED FOR PORTS IN WEST BENGAL, IF ANY  
2
[PART III.—PORTS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT OF ORISSA 

 

Name of port Vessels chargeable Rate of port dues Due how often chargeable in 

respect of the same vessel 
(1) (2) (3) (4) 

1. Chandbali 

   (Dhamra) 

Sea-going vessels of ten tonnes 

and upwards (except fishing 

boats). 

(Tug-boats, ferry-boats and river 

boats, whether propelled by steam 

or other mechanical means). 

Not exceeding rupee 

one and fifty paise 

per tonne. 

 

Ditto. 

Once in the same month. 

 

 

Once between the 1st 

January and the 30th June, 

and once between the 1st 

july and 31st December, in 

each year. 

2. Gopalpur Sea-going vessels of ten tonnes 

and upwards (except fishing 

boats). 

(Tug-boats, ferry-boats and river 

boats, whether propelled by steam 

or other mechanical means). 

Not exceeding rupee 

one and fifty paisa 

per tonne. 

 

Ditto. 

Once in the same month. 

 

 

Once between the 1st 

January and the 30th June, 

and once between the 1st 

july and 31st December, in 

each year 

 
3
[PART IV.—PORTS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH 

 

Name of  the Port District Vessels 

Chargeable 

Rate of port dues 

Class of vessels 

Rate Due how often 

chargeable in 

respect of the 

same vessel 
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 

Calingapatnam 

(Srikakulam) 

Bheemunipatnam Kakinada (East 

Godavari) Narsapur (WestGodavari) 

Machilipatnam  (Krishna) 

 

(Visakhapatnam) 

 

Sea-going vessels 

of 42-45 cubic 

metres (15 tons) 

and upwards. 

(1) Foreign ship or  

steamer calling at any port. 

(2) Foreign ship or  

steamer (referred to in item 1 

above) calling at any port for 
more than once in the same 

voyage. 

Fifteen paise cubic 

metre. 

Twenty-five paise 

per cubic metre. 

Payable on each 

entry into the port. 

Payable once for 

one voyage. 

 

 

                                                      
1. Entries under cols. (2), (3) and (4) omitted by Act 15 of 1997, s. 9 (w.e.f. 9.1.1997). 

2. Added by notification No. 1317-PD, dated 29-04-1978, Gazette of Orissa. 

3. Added by notification No. G.O. Ms. 253, dated 28-4-1978, Gazette of Andhra Pradesh. 



28 

 

   

PART IV.— PORTS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH—CONTD. 

 
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 

Vadarevu  

(Prakasam) 

Krishnapatnam 

(Nellore) 

Sea-going vessels of 42-

45 cubic metres (15 

tons) and upwards.— 

contd. 

(3)  Coasting ship calling at 

any port 

 

 

 

 

(4) Coasting steamer calling at 

any port 

 

Thirteen paise per 

cubic metre. 

 

 

 

 

Fifteen paise per 

cubic metre. 

The payment of the 

dues at the port will 

exempt the ship for a 

period of 60 days from 

liability to pay the dues 

again at that port. 

The payment of the 

dues at the port will 

exempt the steamer for 

a period of 30 days 

from liability to pay the 

dues again at that port.] 

  
1
[PART V—PORTS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU 

 

Name of  the Port District Vessels Chargeable Rate of port dues, 

Class of vessels 

Due how often 

chargeable in 

respect of the same 

vessel 
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 

(1) Cuddalore 

(2) Nagapattinam 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3) Pamban 

(4) Rameswaram 

(3) Kilakarai 

 

 

 

(6) Veppalodai 

(7) Colachel 

(8) Kanyakumari 

South Arcot 

Thanjavur 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ramnathapuram 

 

 

 

 

Tirunelveli 

Kanyakumari 

 

 

Sea going vessels of 40 

cubic metres and 

upwards. 

(1) Foreign ship or 

steamer calling at any 

port not exceeding 10 

paisa per cubic metre. 

 

 

(2) Foreign ship or 

steamer calling at more 

than one port not 

exceeding 15 paisa per 

cubic metre. 

(3) Coasting ship 

calling at any port not 

exceeding 5 paisa per 

cubic metre. 

 

 

(4)  Coasting steamer 

calling at any port not 

exceeding 10 paisa per 

cubic metre. 

 

Payable on each entry 

into the port except in 

the case of straits 

steamer which shall not 

be charged more than 

once in a voyage. 

Payable once for the 

voyage. 

 

 

 

The payment of dues at 

the port will exempt the 

ship for a period of 60 

days from liability to 

pay the dues again at 

that port. 

The payment of dues at 

the port will exempt the 

steamer for a period of 

30 (thirty) days from 

liability to pay the dues 

again at that port.] 

 

 

 

 

                                                      
1. Added by notification No. 11(2)/TRA/1914(c)/78, dated 1-5-1978, Gazette of Tamil Nadu. 



29 

 

1
[PART VI.—PORTS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT OF PONDICIHERRY.  

(See SECTIONS 1 AND 33) 

Name of Port Vessels chargeable Rate of port dues Dues how often 
chargeable in 
respect of same 
vessel 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

Pondicherry Sea-going vessels of 40 

cubic metres and 

upwards. 

(a) Foreign going ship 

or sailing vessel 

calling at this port at 

15 paise per cubic 

metre. 

(b) Coasting ships 

calling at this port at 

15 paise per cubic 

metre. 

 

 

(c) Coasting sailing 

vessel calling at this 

port at 5 paise per 

cubic metre. 

(a) Payable one each 

entry Into the port. 

 

 

(b) The payment of 

port dues will 

exempt the ship for 

a period of sixty 

days from liability 

to pay the dues 

again at that port. 

Do. 

(1) The levy of port dues in accordance with the Schedule referred to in clause (1) shall be subject to 

the following conditions, namely:— 

(a) that with effect on an from the 1st July, 1978, the rates of port dues to be levied on 

vessels specified in column (2) of the said Schedule, entering the Port in the Union 

Territory of Pondicherry shall be those laid down in column (3) of the said Schedule; 

(b) that such dues shall be levied subject to the conditions mentioned in column (4) of the said 

schedule; 

(c) that the rates of port dues chargeable on any one vessel entering the port in ballast 

and not carrying passengers shall be 3/4th of the rates l aid down in the schedule; 

(d) that when a vessel enters the port but does not discharge or take any cargo or 

passengers therein (with the exception of such unshipment or reshipment as may be 

necessary for purposes of repair), she shall be charged with port  dues at half the rates 

specified in the schedule; and 

(e) that no port dues shall be levied on—  

(i) any pleasure yacht, or 

(ii) any vessel which, having letter any port, is compelled to re-enter it by stress of 

weather, or in consequence of having sustained any damage, or 

(iii) any vessel which, having entered any port, leaves it within forty-eight hours without 

discharging or taking in any passengers or cargo. 

(2) For the purpose of this notification the terms “foreign going ship”, “coasting ship”, “sailing 

vessel” and “ship” shall have the same meaning as found in the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (Act No. 

XLIV of 1958).] 

                                                      
1. Ins.  by Notification No. G.O. Ms. 70/78, dated 1 -5-1978,  Gazette of Pondicherry.  



30 

 

1
[PART VII.— PORTS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT OF KERALA 

 

Name of Port Vessels 
chargeable 

Rate of port dues Dues how often 
chargeable in 
respect of the 
same vessel District Ports Class of vessel Rate of port 

dues 

(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 
(6) 

Trivandrum 

 

 

 

 

Quilon 

 

Allepey 

 

 

 

Trichrur 

Ernakulam 

Malappuram 

Kazikode 

 

 

 

Cannanore 

 

1. Kovalam- 

Vizhinjam 

2. Trivandrum  

 

 

3. Quilon 

4. Neendakar 

5.Allepey 

 

 

 

6. Azikode 

 

7. Ponnami 

8. Calicut 

(including 

Beypore) 

9. Badagara 

10. Telicherry 

11. Cannanore 

12. Azhikkal 

13. kasaragode 

All sea-going 

vessels of 40 

cubic metres and 

upwards. 

 

(other than 

fishing vessels) 

(a) Foreign ship 

or steamer or 

coastal steamer 

calling at any 

port. 

(b) Coastal ship 

Not exceeding 

Rs. 1.50 per ton. 

 

 

 

Not exceeding 50 

paise per ton. 

The payment of the 

dues on entry at any 

minor port of Kerala 
will exempt 

steamers for a 

period of 30 days 

and ships for a 

period of 60 days 

from payment of 

port dues again at 

that port. 

 

Notes:  (1) In assessing the Port dues the date on which a vessel anchored shall be the date from which 

dues shall be calculated. 

(2) In the case of vessels the certificate of registry of which shows her tonnage in the British 

standard tons only, a factor of 2.83 cubic metres will be the equivalent to one ton for 

purpose of levy of Port dues specified in column 3 and on conversion of such tons into cubic 

metres any fraction less than half will be omitted and half and above rounded to the nearest 

cubic metres. 

Explanation.—In this schedule—  

(a) “ship” means a vessel propelled solely by wind-power. 

(b) “Steamer” means any vessel other than a ship. 

(c) “Coasting ship”. or “Coasting steamer” means respectively a ship or steamer which at 

any Port discharges cargo exclusively from or takes in cargo exclusively for any ports in India 

or in Burma or in the Island of Ceylon and “Coasting Steamer” includes a coasting steam vessel 

having a general pass under section 164 of the Sea Customs Act, 1878. 

(d) “Foreign ship” or “Foreign Steamer” means respectively a ship or a steamer not being a 

coasting ship or coasting steamer.)] 

                                                      
1. Added by Notification No. S.R.O . 373/78, dated 26-4-1978, Gazette of Kerala. 



31 

 

  
1
[PART-VIII.—PORTS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT OF KARNATAKA 

 

 

Name of Ports Vessels chargeable Rate of Port dues Dues how often chargeable in 
respect of the same vessel 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

1. Mangalore 

 

 

Sea-going vessels 

of 15 cubic metres 

and upwards. 

(a) Foreign ship or 

steamer calling 

at the port. 

Not exceeding 

thirty paise per 

cubic metre. 

Payable on each entry into 

the Port. 

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b) Coasting ship 

calling at the 

port. 

 

 

Not exceeding 

thirty paise per 

cubic metre. 

 

 

The payment of the dues 

will exempt the ship for a 

period of sixty days from 

liability to pay the dues 

again at the port. 

  (c) Coasting 

steamer calling 

at the port. 

 

Not exceeding 

thirty paise per 

cubic metre. 

 

The payment of the dues 

will exempt the steamer for 

a period of 30 days from 

liability to pay the dues 

again at the port. 

2. Malpe 

3. Mangarkatta 

4. Coondapur 

Sea-going vessels 

of 15 cubic metres 

and upwards. 

(a) Foreign ship or 

steamer calling 

at the port. 

Not exceeding 

thirty paise per 

cubic metre. 

Payable on each entry into 

the Port. 

5. Baindur 

 

 (b) Foreign ship or 

steamer calling 

at more than 

one port. 

Not exceeding 

forty five paise per 

cubic metre. 

Payable once for the 

voyage. 

 

6. Bhatkal 

7. Shirali 

8. Murdeshwar 

9. Honavar/Manki 

10. Tadri/Gangavali 

11. Belekeri/Ankola 

Sea-going vessels 

of 15 cubic metres 

and upwards. 

(c) Coasting ships 

calling at any 

Port. 

 

Not exceeding 

twenty paise per 

cubic metre. 

The payment of the dues 

will exempt the ship for a 

period of sixty days from 

liability to pay the dues 

again at the port. 

 

  (d) Coasting 

steamers 

calling at the 

Port. 

 

Not exceeding 

twenty four paise 

per cubic metre. 

The payment of the dues 

will exempt the steamer for 

a period of 30 days from 

liability to pay the dues 

again at the port. 

12. Chendia 

13. Binaga 

14. Karwar 

15. Majali 

    

 

Explanation 1.— 

(a) Ship” means a vessel propelled with sufficient sail area for navigation under sail alone whether or 

not fitted with mechanical means of the propulsion and includes a rowing boat or canoe. 

(b) “Steamer” means any vessel other than a ship.  

                                                      
1. Ins. by notification No. PWD 42 PSP 77, dated 29-4-1978, Gazette of Karnataka (Extraordinary), Part IV-2 c(ii). 



32 

 

(c) “Coasting ship” or “coasting steamer” means respectively a ship or steamer which at any port 

discharges cargo exclusively from or takes in cargo exclusively for any Port in India. 

Provided for the purpose of levy of port dues vessel shall not be deemed during one and the same voyage 

to be both coasting ship or steamer and a Foregin ship or steamer but port dues shall, in respect of such 

voyage, be leviable on such vessels either as a coasting or as a foreign ship or steamer, whichever rate is 

higher. 

Explanation 2.— 

Ports enclosed in double brackets in the second column of the schedule shall be treated as if they are only 

one port every vessel in respect of which such dues have been charged and taken at one of the bracketed ports 

being exempted from the payment of port dues on entering another port within the period specified in the 

fourth column of the schedule. 

1
[PART IX.—PORTS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT OF GOA, DAMAN AND DIU 

 
Name of the Port Vessels Rate of port dues Dues how often 

chargeable in respect of 

same vessel 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

1. Diu (a) Sea-going vessels 

of ten tons and 

upwards (except 

fishing boats). 

Not exceeding Rupee 

one and paise fifty per 

ton. 

Once in the same month. 

 (b) Inland 

mechanically 

propelled vessels. 

-do- Once between 1st 

January & 31st March, 

once between 1st April & 

30th June, once between 

1st July & 30th 

September & once 

between 1st October. 

2. Simbor (a) Sea-going vessels 

of ten tons 

-do- Once in the same month. 

 (b) Inland 

mechanically 

propelled vessels. 

-do- Once between 1st 

January & 31st March, 

once between 1st April & 

30th June, once between 

1st July & 30th 

September & once 

between 1st October. 

3. Daman (a) Sea-going vessels 

of ten tons and 

upwards (except 

fishing boats) 

-do- Once between 1st 

January & 31st March, 

once between 1st April & 

30th June, once between 

1st July & 30th 

September & once 

between 1st October. 

 (b) Inland mechanically 

propelled vessles. 

-do- Once in the same month. 

                                                      
1. Ins. by notification No. 1/605/78/IPD, dated 1-5-1978, Gazette of Goa, Daman Diu. 



33 

 

 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

4. Tiracol (a) Sea-going vessels 

of ten tons and 

upwards (except 

fishing boats) 

-do- Once between 1st January 

& 31st March, once 

between 1st April & 30th 

June, once between 1st July 

& 30th September & once 

between 1st October. 

 (b) Inland 

mechanically 

propelled vessles. 

-do- Once in the same month. 

5. Chapora (a) Sea-going vessels 

of ten tons and 

upwards (except 

fishing boats) 

-do- Once between 1st January 

& 31st March, once 

between 1st April & 30th 

June, once between 1st July 

& 30th September & once 

between 1st October. 

 (b) Inland 

mechanically 

propelled vessles. 

-do- Once in the same month. 

6. Panaji (a) Sea-going vessels 

of ten tons and 

upwards (except 

fishing boats) 

-do- Once between 1st January 

& 31st March, once 

between 1st April & 30th 

June, once between 1st July 

& 30th September & once 

between 1st October. 

 (b) Inland 

mechanically 

propelled vessles. 

-do- Once in the same month. 

7. Talpona (a) Sea-going vessels 

of ten tons and 

upwards (except 

fishing boats) 

-do- Once in the same month. 

 (b) Inland 

mechanically 

propelled vessles. 

-do- Once between 1st January 

& 31st March, once 

between 1st April & 30th 

June, once between 1st July 

& 30th September & once 

between 1st October.] 

 

  



34 

 

1
[PART X.—PORTS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA 

Name of ports and 
Group within which 
they fail 

Vessels chargeable Rate of port dues Dues how often 
chargeable in respect 
of same vessels 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 
I-BANDRA GROUP OF PORTS 

1. Dhanu. 

2. Tarapur. 

3. Nawapur. 

4. Satpati. 

5. Kelwa Mahim 
(including Kelwa). 

(i) Sea-going 
vessels of 5 tons 
and upwards but 
less than 10 tons 
(exceeding 
fishing boats). 

Twenty-five paise per 
metric ton. 

Once in thirty days at 
the same port; 
provided that no 
coasting vessels 
having paid port dues 
at any port shall be 
chargeable with port 
dues again at the 
same or any other 
port of the same 
group within 30 days. 

6. Arnala (including 
Datiware). 

7. Bassein. 

8. Uttan. 

9. Bhivandi. 

(ii) Sea-going 
vessels other 
than power, 
driven sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards 
(exceeding 
fishing boats). 

Forty paise per metric 
ton. 

 

10. Manori 

11. Kalyan. 

12. Thane. 

13. Vessava. 

14. Bandra. 

(iii) Power driven 
sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards. 

Sixty paise per metric 
ton. 

 

II—MORA GROUP OF PORTS 
 
1. Trombay (including 

Mahul.) 

(i) Sea-going 
vessels of 5 tons 
and upwards but 
less than 10 tons 
(exceeding 
fishing boats). 

Twenty-five paise per 
metric ton. 

Once in thirty days at 
the same port; 
provided that no 
coasting vessels 
having paid port dues 
at any port shall be 
chargeable with port 
dues again at the 
same or any other 
port of the same 
group within 30 days. 

  

                                                      
1. Ins. by notification No. IPA 1077/264/36TR, dated 21-31978, Gazette of Maharashtra. 



35 

 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

2. Panvel (Ulwa and 

Belapur).  

3. Mora. 

4. Karanja. 

5. Mandwa. 

6. Thal (Rewas). 

 

(ii) Sea-going vessels 

other than power 

driven sea-going 

vessels of 10 tons 

and upwards 

(exceeding 

fishing boats). 

Forty paise per metric 

ton. 

 

7. Alibag. 

(including Dharamtar). 

(iii) Power driven 
sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards. 

Sixty paise per metric 

ton. 

 

III—RAJPURI GROUP OF PORTS 
 

1. Revdanda. 
2. Borli Mandla. 
3. Nandgaon. 
4. Murud (J). 

(i) Sea-going 
vessels of 5 tons 
and upwards but 
less than 10 tons 
(excepting 
fishing boats). 

Twenty-five paise per 
metric ton. 

Once in thirty days at 

the same port; provided 

that no coasting vessels 

having paid port dues 

at any port shall be 

chargeable with port 

dues again at the same 

or any other port of the 

same group within 30 

days. 
5. Rajpuri. (ii) Sea-going 

vessels other 
than power 
driven sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards 
(excepting 
fishing boats). 

Forty paise per metric 
ton. 

 

6. Bankot. (iii) Power driven 
sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards. 

Sixty paise per metric 
ton. 

 

 IV—RATNAGIRI GROUP OF PORTS  

1. Kelshi. 
2. Harnai. 
3. Dabhol. 
4. Palshet. 

(i) Sea-going 
vessels of 5 tons 
and upwards but 
less than 10 tons 
(excepting 
fishing boats). 

Twenty-five paise per 
metric ton. 

Once in thirty days at 

the same port; provided 

that no coasting vessels 

or coasting power 

driven vessels having 

paid port dues at any 

port shall  be 

chargeable with port 

dues again at the same 

or any other port of the 

same group within 30 

days. 

  



36 

 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 
5. Borya. 
6. Jaigad. 
7. Varoda (Tiwari). 

(i) Sea-going other 
than power 
driven sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards 
(excepting 
fishing boats). 

Forty paise per metric 
ton. 

 

8. Ratnagiri. 
9. Purnagad. 

(iii) Power driven 
sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards. 

Sixty paise per metric 
ton. 

 

 
V—VIJAYDURG GROUP OF PORTS 

 

1. Jaipur. 
2. Vijaydurg. 
3. Deogad. 

(i) Sea-going vessels 
of 5 tons and 
upwards but less 
than 10 tons 
(excepting 
fishing boats). 

Twenty-five paise per 
metric ton. 

Once in thirty days at 

the same port; provided 

that no coasting vessels 

or coasting power 

driven vessels having 

paid port dues at any 

port shall  be 

chargeable with port 

dues again at the same 

or any other port of the 

same group within 30 

days. 

4. Achara. (ii) Sea-going 
vessels other 
than power 
driven sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards 
(excepting 
fishing boats). 

Forty paise per metric 
ton. 

 

 (iii) Power driven 
sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards. 

Sixty paise per metric 
ton. 

 

 
VI—VENGURLA GROUP OF PORTS 

 

1. Malwan 
2. Nivati. 
3. Vengurla. 

(i) Sea-going 
vessels of 5 tons 
and upwards but 
less than 10 tons 
(excepting 
fishing boats), 

Twenty-five paise per 
metric ton. 

Once in thirty days at the 

same port; provided that 

no coasting vessels or 

coasting power driven 

vessels having paid port 

dues at any port shall  be 

chargeable with port dues 

again at the same or any 

other port of the same 

group within 30 days.] 

  



37 

 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 
4. Redi. 
5. Kiranpani. 

(ii) Sea-going 
vessels other 
than power 
driven sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards 
(excepting 
fishing boats). 

Forty paise per metric 
ton. 

 

 (iii) Power driven 
sea-going 
vessels of 10 
tons and 
upwards. 

Sixty paise per metric 
ton. 

 

1
[PART XI.—PORTS UNDER THE CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT OF GUJARAT 

 

1. Umargaon 

2. Maroli 

3. Kolak 

(1) Foreign Ships Re. 1.00 p. per ton. Once in 30 days in case 

of each vessel. 

4. Umarsadi 

5. Valsad 

6. Billimora 

(2) Costing ships Re. 0.50 p. per ton. -do- 

7. Vansi-Borsi 

8. Onjal 

9. Surat (Magdalia) 

(3) Sailing vessels Re. 0.35 p. per ton. -do- 

10. Bhagva 

11. Bharuch 

12. Dahej 

(4) Tugs, ferry and 
river ships. 

Re. 0.60 p. per ton. Twice in a year i.e. to 

say once between the 

1st January to the 30th 

June and once between 

the 1st July to the 31st 

December. 

13. Khambhat (5) Foreign ships 
bringing cargo 
for transhipment 
in daughter 
ships. 

  

 (6) Daughter ships in 
ballast being 
loaded with 
cargo from 
tankers and 
leaving for ports 
other than 
Gujarat State 
ports. 

Re. 1.00 p. per ton. -do- 

  

                                                      
1. Ins. by Notification No. G/J/16/ IPA/1077/95-M, dated 1-5-1978, Gazette of Gujarat, Extraordinary, Part IV-A. 



38 

 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

II. Bhavnagar Group of Ports:  
 

1. Bhavnagar 

2. Gogha 

(1) Foreign Ships Re. 1.00 per ton. 
Once in 30 days in case 

of each vessels. 

3. Talaja   
 

 (2) Coasting ships Re. 0.50 p. per ton. -do- 

 (3) sailing vessels Re. 0.35 p. per ton. 
 

 (4) Tugs, ferry and 
river ships. 

Re. 0.60 p. per ton. 
Twice in a year i.e. to 

say once between the 

1st January to the 30th 

June and once between 

the 1st July to the 31st 

December. 

 (5) Foreign ships 
bringing cargo 
for transhipment 
in daughter 
ships. 

Rs. 2.50 p. per ton. 
Once in 30 days in case 

of each vessel. 

 (6) Daughter ships in 
ballast being 
loaded with 
cargo from 
tankers and 
leaving for ports 
other than 
Gujarat State 
ports. 

Re. 1.00 p. per ton. 
-do- 

III. Mahuva Group of Ports:  
 

1. Mahuva 

2. Pipavav 

  

(1) Foreign ships Re. 1. 00 p. per ton. 
Once in 30 days in case 

of each vessel. 

Bandar (2) Coasting ships Re. 0.50 p. per ton. 
-do- 

3. Jafrabad (3) Sailing Vessels Re. 0.35 p. per ton. 
-do- 

4. Rajpara (4) Tugs, ferry and 
river ships 

Re. 0.60 p. per ton. 
Twice in a year i.e. to 

say once between the 

1st January to the 30th 

June and once between 

the 1st July to the 31st 

December. 

 (5) Foreign ships 
vringing cargo 
for 
transshipment in 
daughter ships. 

Re. 2. 50 p. per ton. 
Once in 30 days in case 

of each vessel. 

  



39 

 

(1) (2) (3) 
(4) 

 (6) Daughter ships 
in ballast being 
loaded with 
cargo from 
tankers and 
leaving for ports 
other then 
Gujarat State 
ports. 

Re. 1.00 p. per ton. 
-do- 

IV. Veraval Group of Ports:   

(1) Nawabandar (1) Foreign ships. Re. 1.00 p. per ton. 
Once in 30 days in case 

of each vessel. 

(2) Madhwad (2) Coasting ships. Re. 0.50 p. per ton. 
-do- 

(3) Veraval   
 

(4) Mangrol   
 

 (3) Sailing Vessels. Re. 0.35 p. per ton. 
-do- 

 (4) Tugs, ferry and 
river ships. 

Re. 0.50 p. per ton. 
Twice in a year i.e. to 

say once between the 

1st January to the 30th 

June and once between 

the 1st July to the 31st 

December. 

 (5) Foreign ships 
bringing cargo 
for transhipment 
in daughter 
ships. 

Rs. 2.50 p. per ton. 
Once in30 day in case 

of each vessel. 

 (6) Daughter ships 
in ballast being 
loaded with 
cargo from 
tankers and 
leaving for ports 
other than 
Gujarat State 
ports. 

Re. 1.00 p. per ton. 
-do- 

V. Porbandar Group of ports:  

(1) Porbandar (1) Foreign ships. Re. 1.00 p per ton. Once in 30 day in case 

of each vessel. 

 
(2) Coasting ships. R. 0.50 p per ton. -do- 

 
(3) Sailing vessels. Re. 0.35 p per ton. -do- 

 (4) Tugs, ferry and 
river ships. 

Re. 0.60 p per ton. Twice in a year i.e. to 

say once between the 

1st January to the 30th 

June and once between 

the 1st July to the 31st 

December. 



40 

 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 
 

(5) Foreign ships 
bringing cargo 
for transhipment 
in daughter 
ships. 

Rs. 1.00 p per ton. Once in 30 day in case 

of each vessel. 

 
(6) Daughter ships 

in ballast being 
loaded with 
cargo from 
tankers and 
leaving for ports 
other than 
Gujarat State 
ports. 

Re. 1.00 p per ton. -do- 

VI. Okha Group of Ports: 
  

(1) Dwarka (Rupen) (1) Foreign ships. Re. 1.00 p per ton.  

(2) Okha 
(2) Coasting ships. R. 0.50 p per ton. -do- 

(3) Beyt 
(3) Sailing vessels. Re. 0.35 p per ton. -do- 

 (4) Tugs, ferry and 
river ships. 

Re. 0.60 p per ton. Twice in a year i.e. to 

say once between the 

1st January to the 30th 

June and once between 

the 1st July to the 31st 

December. 

 
(5) Foreign ships 

bringing cargo 
for transhipment 
in daughter 
ships. 

Rs. 1.00 p per ton. Once in 30 day in case 

of each vessel. 

 
(6) Daughter ships 

in ballast being 
loaded with 
cargo from 
tankers and 
leaving for ports 
other than 
Gujarat State 
ports. 

Re. 1.00 p per ton. -do- 

VII. Bedi Group of Ports: 
  

(1) Pindhara (1) Foreign ships. Re. 1.00 p per ton.  

(2) Salaya    

(3) Sikka    

(4) Bedi (including 
Rozi) 

(2) Coasting ships. Re. 0.50 per ton. -do- 

(5) Jodia (3) Sailing Vessels. Re. 0.60 p per ton. -do- 

  



41 

 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

 (4) Tugs, ferry and 
river ships. 

Re. 0.60 p per ton. Twice in a year i.e. to 

say once between the 

1st January to the 30th 

June and once between 

the 1st July to the 31st 

December. 

 
(5) Foreign ships 

bringing cargo 
for transhipment 
in daughter 
ships. 

Rs. 1.00 p per ton. Once in 30 day in case 

of each vessel. 

 (6) Daughter ships 
in ballast being 
loaded with 
cargo from 
tankers and 
leaving for ports 
other than 
Gujarat State 
ports. 

Re. 1.00 p per ton. -do- 

VIII. Navlakhi Group of pots: 
  

(1) Navlakhi (1) Foreign ships. Re. 1.00 p per ton. Once in 30 day in case 

of each vessel. 

 (2) Coasting ships. Re. 0.50 per ton. -do- 

 (3) Sailing Vessels. Re. 0.60 p per ton. -do- 

 (4) Tugs, ferry and 
river ships. 

Re. 0.60 p per ton. Twice in a year i.e. to 

say once between the 

1st January to the 30th 

June and once between 

the 1st July to the 31st 

December. 

 
(5) Foreign ships 

bringing cargo 
for transhipment 
in daughter 
ships. 

Rs. 1.00 p per ton. Once in 30 day in case 

of each vessel. 

 (6) Daughter ships 
in ballast being 
loaded with 
cargo from 
tankers and 
leaving for ports 
other than 
Gujarat State 
ports. 

Re. 1.00 p per ton. -do- 

  



42 

 

(1) (2) (3) (4) 

IX. Mandvi Group of Ports: 
 

(1) Mundra  (1) Foreign ships. Re. 1.00 p per ton. Once in 30 day in case 

of each vessel. 

(2) Mandvi (2) Coasting ships. Re. 0.50 per ton. -do- 

(3) Jakhau (3) Sailing Vessels. Re. 0.60 p per ton. -do- 

(4) Koteshwar (4) Tugs, ferry and 
river ships. 

Re. 0.60 p per ton. Twice in a year i.e. to 

say once between the 

1st January to the 30th 

June and once between 

the 1st July to the 31st 

December. 

 
(5) Foreign ships 

bringing cargo 
for transhipment 
in daughter 
ships. 

Rs. 1.00 p per ton. Once in 30 day in case 

of each vessel. 

 (6) Daughter ships 
in ballast being 
loaded with 
cargo from 
tankers and 
leaving for ports 
other than 
Gujarat State 
ports. 

Re. 1.00 p per ton. -do- 

 
 

  

 

Explanations to Part XI of the First Schedule. 

Explanation 1.—(a) The ports shown under each of the nine groups in the first column of the table 
shall be treated as if they were only one port. The payment of the dues at the first port called in a 
group shall exempt the vessel for the period shown in column 4 in the table from the liability of 
payment of the dues again on re-entering or entering that or any other port in the same group.  

(b) No port dues shall be charged in respect of vessel of less than 10 tons or any fishing boat.  

(c) A vessel in distress with no cargo on board brought into harbour in tow shall be charged with three-
fourths of port dues. 

(d) A coastal ship entering a port, bringing coal or taking salt shall be charged port dues at ten per cent. 
less than the rates with which she would otherwise be chargeable. 

Explanation 2.—(a) In determining of the measurement of the net tonnage for the purpose of calculating 
the charges, a fraction of half a ton or more shall be counted as one ton and less than half ton shall be ignored. 

(b) The period of thirty days shall be reckoned from the date of entry of the vessel into the port. 

(c) “Vessel” includes any ship, boat, sailing vessel or other description of vessel used in the navigation. 

(d) “Sailing vessel” means any description of vessel provided with sufficient sail area for navigation 
under sails alone, whether or not fitted with mechanical means of propulsion, and includes a rowing boat or 
canoe but does not inclued a pleasure craft. 

(e) “Ship” does not include a sailing vessel. 



43 

 

(f) “Coastal ship” means a ship which at any port in Gujarat discharges exclusively from or takes any 
cargo exclusively for any port in the Republic of India and is not enagaged in overseas trade. 

(g) “Foreign ship” means a ship which is not a coasting ship.  

Explanation 3.—If the vessel, in the course of her voyage or during stay i n the port, changes 
her character from a coasting vessel to a foreign ship or vice versa, port dues shall be charged at 
the rates leviable in respect of foreign ships.  

Explanation 4.—(a) A vessel entering a port and taking in only provisions, water, bunker -coal or 
liquid fuel for her own consumption shall be charged port dues at half the rate with which she would 
otherwise be chargeable. 

(b) A vessel that has paid half the port dues under clause (a) above re-enters the same port with 
cargo or passengers or both within thirty days from the date of its previous entry in the port shall be 
charged the difference between the dues already paid and those payable at the full rate  

Explanation 5.—When a vessel which has been charged port dues, leviable under Government of 
Gujarat, Public Works Department, Notification No. G/J/48/75/IPA-2975-M, dated the 5th December, 
1975, re-enters the same port with cargo or passengers or for any other purpose within thirty days from 
the date of its previous entry on the port, it shall be charged the difference between the dues already paid 
and those with which she would otherwise be chargeable.] 

THE SECOND SCHEDULE.—[Enactment repealed.] Rep. by the Repealing Act, 1938 (1 of 1938), s. 2 
and the Schedule. 

 
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