Answer
Statutory Grounds for DeregistrationA vessel ceases to be an Indian ship and must undergo closure of registry under four primary circumstances:
Sale to Foreign Buyers: The registered owner sells or transfers the vessel (or a majority share) to an entity or individual non-eligible to own an Indian ship.
Scrapping / Ship Recycling: The vessel is decommissioned and sold for breaking up/green recycling.
Total Loss / Constructive Total Loss (CTL): The vessel is sunk, destroyed, abandoned, or declared a CTL due to marine casualty or fire.
Change of Flag State: The owner voluntarily seeks to transfer the vessel to another flag state administration.
Step-by-Step Deregistration Workflow
[1. e-Samudra Portal Application & Fee] ──► [2. Discharge Mortgages & Obtain NOCs]
│
[4. Deletion Certificate Issued] ◄── [3. Surrender Original COR & Carving Removal]
Step 1: Online Application Submission
The owner/authorized agent applies for Closure of Registration on the DGMA e-Samudra digital portal.
Pays the prescribed statutory processing fee (Standard fee: ₹5,000).
Step 2: Submission of Supporting Documentation
Depending on the ground for deregistration, the following are uploaded:
Sale to Foreign Buyer: Executed Bill of Sale (BOS), Protocol of Delivery & Acceptance (PDA), Board Resolution, Power of Attorney.
Scrapping: MOA for recycling, Purchase Agreement with recycling yard, Green Recycling / EU-SRR certification compliance.
Total Loss: Insurance Underwriter's CTL Declaration, Casualty Report / MMD Surveyor's findings.
Mortgage Release: Form D.8 (Discharge of Mortgage) submitted by the bank/financial institution.
Step 3: Surrender of Statutory Documents & Inspection
Surrender Certificates: The original physical Certificate of Registry (COR), Carving & Marking Note copy, Signal Code allotment, and radio licenses must be returned to the Registrar.
Removal of Markings: In case of foreign sale/scrapping, the owner must provide confirmation that the Indian Port of Registry and Official Number markings have been effaced/removed from the ship's hull and main beam.
Step 4: Registry Entry & Issuance of Certificate of Deletion
The Registrar verifies all submissions, cancels the entries in the electronic Register Book of Indian Ships, and closes the account.
The Registrar issues the official Certificate of Deletion (stating the date, time, and precise reason for deletion).
Under Section 16/Registration Rules 2026 of the MS Act 2025, foreign-flagged vessels arriving in India strictly for green ship recycling at Alang or other recognized yards are granted a Temporary Indian Registration (valid for a maximum of 3 months). Upon completion of beaching and demolition, the temporary registration automatically expires and is closed by the local Registrar without requiring the standard full deregistration process.