According to a recent publication by the Union Home Ministry, India has eliminated the longstanding requirements for sign-on, sign-off, and Shore Leave Passes (SLP) for vessels flying the Indian flag that operate solely in domestic waters.
This announcement was made public on Thursday through an official communication directed to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The ministry recognized that seafarers had been encountering persistent challenges under previous regulations that mandated crew members to physically visit immigration offices every ten days to secure or renew their SLPs.
Officials noted that this requirement often disrupted normal operations aboard ships engaged in coastal activities. With the new framework in place, Port Authorities will now take charge of keeping accurate records of crew members and additional personnel working on Indian-flagged coastal vessels, including barges and research ships operating within port boundaries.
The Bureau of Immigration will still perform random inspections and collect crew lists directly from these vessels. Furthermore, access to shore for crew members will now be managed by individual Port Authorities.
This reform comes after reports were submitted highlighting the operational difficulties posed by existing immigration protocols. In a letter from Deputy Officer (Immigration) Balbir Singh, it was acknowledged that requiring repeated visits to immigration offices created significant hurdles for maritime operations.
Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways expressed his support for this change as a crucial advancement for India’s maritime workforce. He emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership and with Home Minister Amit Shah’s backing, the government is committed to empowering Indian seafarers by discarding outdated practices that have persisted over many years.
The anticipated outcome of this change is a more efficient coastal operation environment characterized by reduced administrative delays and enhanced flexibility for crews working within port limits. The updated system aims not only at simplifying procedures but also at ensuring effective oversight through regular monitoring at ports along with periodic checks conducted by immigration authorities.
