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P&I certificates are checked by ports and also on a sample basis by the Port State Control officers visiting Indian ports.
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KIYOSHI OTA
The Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) has introduced mandatory verification of Protection and Indemnity (P&I) Certificates by all Indian port authorities. This is a result of past instances, wherein the certificates were declared invalid due to non-payment of premiums and the polluters did not compensate.
The DGS order is to ensure alignment with international maritime liability conventions and boosts maritime safety and environmental protection standards.
The order noted that under Merchant Shipping (Regulation of Entry of Ships into Ports, Anchorages and Offshore Facilities) Rules, 2012, all vessels of 300 gross tonnage and above, entering Indian ports, must possess valid and verifiable P&I insurance coverage.
The P&I Insurance provides essential coverage for third-party liabilities, including but not limited to, loss of life and personal injury to crew, passengers and others on board. It also includes cargo loss and damage, pollution by oil and other hazardous substances, wreck removal, collision and damage to property.
The order said that certain incidents have involved P&I insurers declining to compensate pollution claims due to the vessels possessing invalid P&I Insurance Certificates. The scenario necessitates a rigorous verification process to ensure the validity and authenticity of P&I certificates.
Sources said that over 25,000 ships of various nationalities call at Indian ports every year. P&I certificates are checked by ports and also on a sample basis by the Port State Control officers visiting Indian ports.
P&I insurance is also for many other issues like financial security and crew repatriation. Pollution is a major issue and the polluter needs to compensate the State. However, some of the ships have failed to pay causing huge loss to the authorities.
Published on May 9, 2025
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