India has abolished long-standing requirements of sign-on, sign-off and Shore Leave Passes (SLP) for Indian-flag vessels operating exclusively in domestic waters.

The Union Home Ministry announced the decision on Thursday through an official communication sent to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The ministry stated that seafarers had been facing continuous difficulties under the earlier system, which required crew members to appear physically at immigration offices to obtain and extend SLPs every 10 days.

Officials said that this requirement had been disrupting routine duties onboard ships during coastal runs.

Under the revised framework, Port Authorities will now be responsible for maintaining updated records of crew and supernumeraries working on Indian-flag coastal vessels, barges, dredgers,  and research ships operating within port limits.

The Bureau of Immigration will continue to conduct periodic surprise inspections and obtain crew lists directly from such vessels. The ministry added that shore access for crew members will now be regulated by the respective Port Authority.

The decision followed reports submitted to the Home Ministry highlighting the challenges caused by the existing immigration procedures. In a letter signed by Deputy Officer (Immigration) Balbir Singh, the ministry acknowledged that the requirement for repeated physical visits to immigration offices was creating operational hurdles for those on board.

Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal welcomed the reform and described it as an important step for India’s maritime workforce.

He stated that the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, aimed to support and empower Indian seafarers by removing outdated procedures that had been in place for decades.

Officials said the change is expected to streamline coastal operations by reducing administrative delays and improving flexibility for crew members working within port limits.

The revised system is intended to simplify procedures while ensuring oversight through port-level monitoring and periodic checks by the immigration authorities.

References: newsonair, aninews