Flag State Implementation (FSI) inspection of Indian Flag Ships

Applicable to: All vessels registered under Merchant Shipping Act 1958, as amended

Effective Date: 3rd September, 2013

Superseded Circulars: MS Notice 22 of 2011, MS Notice 06 of 2011, MS Notice 14 of 2010

Key Changes and Requirements

FSI inspections are mandatory for Indian flag ships to ensure compliance with international maritime regulations.

Frequency: Varies based on ship type and age (see table below).
Integration: FSI can be integrated with Safety Equipment (SEQ) Survey or Safety Management Certification (SMC).
Penalty: Annual General Inspection (GI) by a Recognized Organization (RO) if minimum FSI frequency is not met.

Surprise inspections may occur based on complaints or reports of major deficiencies.

Frequency: No more than once every six months.
Consideration: Unscheduled FSI counts towards minimum scheduled FSI frequency.

Mandatory annual GI by ROs is dispensed, except for vessels failing to meet minimum FSI frequency.

Exemption: Vessels with satisfactory PSC inspection need not undergo GI for one year.
Transition: Vessels that underwent GI prior to this notice must switch to FSI within twelve months.

Companies must conduct periodic self-assessments of their ships in line with FSI requirements.

Inspection reports must be uploaded to FSCIS within ten days of completion.

II/4 Vessels failing to meet minimum FSI frequency must undergo annual GI until compliance.

Important Note

Non-compliance with the minimum frequency of FSI/GI may result in non-conformity during DOC audit, with a maximum of three months to comply.

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