Section 23 of The Indian Ports Act, 2025: Power to board vessels and enter buildings.

The Indian Ports Act, 2025

  • Act 27 of 2025
  • Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
About this Act

An Act to consolidate the law relating to ports, promote integrated port development, facilitate ease of doing business and ensure the optimum utilisation of India's coastline; establish and empower State Maritime Boards for effective management of ports other than major ports; establish the Maritime State Development Council for fostering structured growth and development of the port sector; provide for the management of pollution, disaster, emergencies, security, safety, navigation, and data at ports; ensure compliance with India's obligations under international instruments to which it is a party; take measures for the conservation of ports; provide for adjudicatory mechanisms for the redressal of port-related disputes; and address matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.

All sections
    (1) The conservator, or any person appointed under this Act to receive fees or charges related to any vessel, may, when necessary for the performance of duties under this Act, board any vessel or enter any building or place within the port limits, either alone or accompanied by any other person or body of persons.
    (2) No master of a vessel or any person in possession or occupation of the building or place shall without lawful excuse refuse the conservator or any person or body of persons to board or enter such vessel, building or place.

Source: Gazette of India (Ministry of Law and Justice, Legislative Department), as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026. Check the official Gazette before relying on it in court. Not legal advice. Free legal aid: 15100 (NALSA) ยท Know your rights

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