- 31-Jul-2025
- Elder & Estate Planning law
Cruise tourism is a growing sector in India, drawing attention to the need for effective legal and regulatory oversight. Cruise ships, which are large passenger vessels, operate under strict international conventions and domestic laws to ensure safety, protect marine environments, and guarantee passenger rights. In India, the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) plays a central role in regulating cruise ships.
India’s primary legislation governing shipping. It covers ship registration, certification, safety, seafarer welfare, and liability matters related to cruise ships.
The chief maritime authority in India, DG Shipping enforces both domestic maritime laws and international conventions like SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, and MLC.
SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) – Ensures cruise ships meet safety and construction standards.
MARPOL (Marine Pollution) – Prevents pollution from ships, including oil, sewage, and garbage.
MLC (Maritime Labour Convention) – Protects the rights and working conditions of seafarers.
STCW (Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping) – Regulates crew qualifications.
Indian authorities inspect foreign cruise ships docking at Indian ports to ensure compliance with international maritime safety standards.
A classification society that provides certification and inspection services to ensure seaworthiness and structural integrity of Indian-registered cruise ships.
Cruise ships operating under the Indian flag must be registered with DG Shipping and meet national standards. The flag state is responsible for ensuring that vessels comply with international norms.
Cruise ships must have certified life-saving equipment, fire safety systems, emergency drills, and must adhere to safety management systems under the ISM Code.
Cruise ships must follow anti-pollution norms like:
Operators must maintain proper insurance, safety drills, emergency contact systems, and grievance redressal mechanisms for passengers.
All cruise ship crew must be trained and certified under STCW standards. Indian seafarers’ rights are protected under the MLC and Indian maritime laws.
Passengers can lodge complaints with port authorities or DG Shipping in case of negligence, delayed services, or unsafe conditions.
For disputes involving cruise services (e.g., injuries, service failure), passengers can approach maritime claims tribunals or civil courts.
Anyone can report illegal discharge or marine pollution by cruise ships to the Ministry of Environment or the Indian Coast Guard.
These are monitored by customs, immigration, and port health authorities, and must comply with Indian PSC regulations.
Suppose an Indian family books a luxury cruise from Mumbai to the Maldives. While at sea, there is a fire in the engine room due to a technical fault, but the crew handles it swiftly and no one is harmed. Later, the family learns the ship had passed inspection under Port State Control and had valid SOLAS certificates.
Steps authorities and consumers take in such a case:
Discover clear and detailed answers to common questions about public international law. Learn about procedures and more in straightforward language.
