NEW DELHI : Foreign-flagged non-propelled vessels, including mobile offshore drilling units and accommodation barges, will be allowed to operate in India’s coastal trade under a new Coastal Shipping law, pending approval from Parliament.

These vessels will need to obtain a license from the country’s maritime regulator, a step aimed at fostering competition and enhancing sector efficiency. The move also ensures that non-propelled vessels comply with regulatory standards for safety, security, and pollution prevention.

At present, non-propelled vessels are not required to obtain a license . . .