Ports Branch — Safety of Navigation
Navigational Safety at Ports
The Navigational Safety at Ports Committee (NSPC), constituted by the Ministry of Surface Transport vide Order No. SR-24021/61/96-PG dated 12 February 1997, accords technical clearance to new and existing minor ports, captive ports, private ports, and terminals used for shipping services. The Committee verifies compliance with national and international standards on safety, security, marine pollution prevention, and emergency preparedness.
Lighthouse & AToNs
VTMS Monitoring
Traffic Separation Schemes
NHO Hydrographic Surveys
Key Updates & Current Initiatives
4 UpdatesNSPC NotificationMinistry Review
Forwarded to Ministry
- A revised NSPC notification has been prepared and formally forwarded to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for review and further action.
- The notification addresses the regulatory framework governing port safety inspections and clearance procedures under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
Digital IntegrationNSWS and Sagar Mala Platforms
Integration Complete
- The NSPC checklist and standard application form have been successfully integrated into the National Single Window System (NSWS) for streamlined digital submission.
- The forms are also embedded within the Sagar Mala digital platforms, enabling port operators to comply with safety norms through a unified interface.
Gati Shakti Geospatial PlatformEY and PMC Coordination
In Progress
- Ernst and Young (EY), serving as the Tier-1 Project Management Consultant, has received all relevant documentation to support the assessment and implementation of the Geospatial Safety Platform.
- The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for integration with the PM Gati Shakti Geospatial Platform has been shared with the Directorate for coordinated infrastructure mapping and planning.
NSPC Stakeholder ArchitectureMember Composition
Constituted
- Nautical Adviser to the Government of India serves as Member Convener.
- Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India (NHO) is a standing member responsible for survey-related inputs and navigational chart updates.
- Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships (DGLL) is a member providing aid-to-navigation expertise and inspection support.
Co-opted Members
Implementation & Geospatial Rollout
Geospatial Safety Platform: Pilot Ports
4 PortsA Geospatial Safety Platform is currently in the planning stage, to be implemented across four major ports under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan framework. The platform will integrate navigational safety data, port infrastructure mapping, hydrographic survey overlays, and real-time vessel traffic information into a unified geospatial interface, enabling proactive risk management and compliance monitoring by the Directorate.
► Pilot Implementation Ports
01
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority
JNPA, Navi Mumbai. India's largest container port and primary gateway on the west coast. Priority pilot site for VTMS and geospatial safety integration.
02
Deendayal Port Authority
Kandla Port, Gujarat. India's largest port by cargo handled. Key site for SBM and STS operations requiring geospatial safety overlay and AToN monitoring.
03
Paradip Port Authority
Paradip, Odisha. Major east coast bulk cargo port. Selected for geospatial platform integration to address channel siltation and navigational aid management.
04
Vizhinjam International Seaport
Vizhinjam, Kerala. Newly commissioned deep-water transhipment hub. Priority site for baseline geospatial safety data establishment and NSPC framework calibration.
Supporting Systems & Technical Partners
Supporting Systems, Technical Partners & Regulatory Frameworks
4 FunctionsVessel Traffic Management SystemVTMS / Port State Control
Expansion Phase
- VTMS infrastructure provides real-time vessel monitoring within designated port limits and approach channels, serving as the principal situational awareness tool for harbour masters.
- Integration with AIS, LRIT, and Port Control Station VHF recording systems under SOLAS Chapter V provisions ensures comprehensive traffic management.
- NSPC inspection checklist (Form I, Item 24) verifies VTMS capability, manning levels, and storm warning signal arrangements at every assessed port.
Key SOLAS References
National Hydrographic OfficeNHO Role in NSPC Framework
Standing Member
- NHO (the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India) is a standing member of the NSPC and participates in joint inspections by nominating a representative for every port assessment.
- NHO verifies hydrographic and bathymetric survey coverage of approach channels at scales of 1:25,000 and inner port plans at 1:10,000 as required under Form I, Part III.
- Regular data furnished by port survey units to NHO ensures navigational chart updates remain current, a prerequisite for NSPC clearance renewal.
Survey Requirements
DGLL SupportDirector General of Lighthouses and Lightships
Standing Member
- DGLL serves as a standing member of the NSPC, providing technical expertise on aids to navigation including lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and IALA System A compliance.
- NSPC Form I (Annexure I) requires detailed AToN data, including lighted beacon specifications, leading lights, breakwater lights, floating aids, and radio navigation aids such as Racon and DGPS.
- DGLL assesses maintenance frequency, staff qualifications, annual AToN budgets, and spares inventory, all of which form part of the NSPC assessment report (Form III).
AToN Coverage
Traffic Separation SchemesTSS under SOLAS Chapter V
Established
- Traffic Separation Schemes (TSS) have been established at designated high-density approach corridors to reduce the risk of collision between converging vessel traffic streams.
- TSS arrangements are adopted by India at IMO under SOLAS Regulation V/10 and are reflected in navigational charts published by NHO and in Sailing Directions.
- Port operators and vessel masters are required to comply with applicable TSS under SOLAS Chapter V, and NSPC inspection verifies that port information (Form I, Item 16A) communicates TSS details to port users.
Regulatory Basis
Implementation Status
Implementation Status
2 Active WorkstreamsNSPC Form I RevisionOperational Feedback Incorporation
Under Revision
- NSPC Form I (the Standard Proforma for Safety of Navigation, Security, Marine Environment Protection and Emergency Preparedness at Ports) is currently under active revision.
- The revision incorporates operational feedback received from port operators, inspecting authorities, and co-opted members, as well as regulatory changes arising from the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
- Areas under review include the ISPS security section (Part V), MARPOL compliance data (Part VI), and the AToN Annexure (Annexure I) to reflect current IALA and ECDIS standards.
- The revised form will be made available on the DGS portal (dgma.gov.in) and integrated into the NSWS digital submission workflow upon finalisation.
Geospatial Safety PlatformPlanning Stage
Planning Stage
- The Geospatial Safety Platform is in the planning stage for rollout across four pilot ports: JNPA, Kandla, Paradip, and Vizhinjam.
- The platform will consolidate NSPC inspection data, AToN positions, hydrographic survey datasets, VTMS tracks, and TSS overlays within a single PM Gati Shakti compatible geospatial environment.
- Documentation has been shared with EY as the Tier-1 PMC, and the SOP for Gati Shakti integration has been forwarded to the Directorate for coordinated planning.
- Upon successful pilot completion, the platform is envisaged for expansion to all major and non-major ports undergoing NSPC assessment.
Standard Forms & Procedures
NSPC Standard Forms
The NSPC process is governed by a series of standardised forms. Ports seeking clearance are required to submit the proforma at least 30 days before the requested inspection date, supported by all relevant documentation. The following forms constitute the complete NSPC framework.
NSPC Form I
Standard Proforma for Port Safety Assessment
The principal application document covering Port Development Plan (Part I), Port Operations Safety (Part II), Nautical Charts and Publications (Part III), Safety of Navigation (Part IV), ISPS Security (Part V), MARPOL Environment (Part VI), and AToN Annexure. Currently under revision.
NSPC Form II
Application for Certificate of Compliance
Formal application addressed to the Member Convener (Nautical Adviser to the Government of India), submitted with prescribed demand draft fees drawn in favour of Director General of Shipping.
NSPC Form III
Assessment Report by Inspection Team
Prescribed format for the joint inspection assessment report, submitted by the Principal Officer MMD or nominee within 10 days of the inspection date, incorporating findings and recommendations of all team members.
NSPC Form IV
Certificate of Compliance
Certificate issued by DGS upon satisfactory assessment. Valid for a maximum of five years, subject to annual inspection within three months of the anniversary date and renewal within six months of expiry.
NSPC Form V
Guidelines to Inspecting Authorities
Procedural guidelines issued by the Nautical Adviser to DGS, DGLL, and the Chief Hydrographer for conducting NSPC inspections, including fee structures, overtime provisions, and unscheduled inspection powers.
NSPC Forms VI and VII
Fees, Penalties and Periodic Returns
Form VI prescribes administrative fees (Rs. 30,000 to Rs. 50,000 by quay length), penalties for unsafe ports (Rs. 5,00,000) and berths (Rs. 1,50,000), and concessions of 50% for complaint-free, casualty-free ports. Form VII provides for six-monthly returns.
