(1) No ship other than an Indian ship or a ship chartered by a citizen of India ¹[or a company or a co-operative society which satisfies the requirements specified in clause (b) or, as the case may be, clause (c) of section 21], shall engage in the coasting trade of India except under a licence granted by the Director-General under this section.

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(2) A licence granted under this section may be for a specified period or voyage and shall be subject to such conditions as may be specified by the Director-General.

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(3) The Central Government may, by general or special order, direct that the provisions of sub-section (1) shall not apply in respect of any part of the coasting trade of India or shall apply subject to such conditions and restrictions as may be specified in the order.

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(1) No Indian ship and no other ship chartered by a citizen of India or a company ¹[or a co-operative Society] shall be taken to sea from a port or place within or outside India except under a licence granted by the Director-General under this section:

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Provided that the Central Government, if it is of opinion that it is necessary or expedient in the public interest so to do, may, by notification in the Official Gazette, exempt any class of ships chartered by a citizen of India or a company ²[or a co-operative Society] from the provisions of this sub-section.

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(2) A licence granted under this section may be

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(a) a general licence;

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(b) a licence for the whole or any part of the coasting trade of India; or

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(c) a licence for a specified period or voyage.

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(3) A licence granted under this section shall be in such form and shall be valid for such period as may be prescribed, and shall be subject to such conditions as may be specified by the Director-General.

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