In Brief
This judgment clarifies the legal requirements for obtaining a Provisional Certificate of Registration (PCOR) for ships becoming Indian ships abroad under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The Court held that PCOR is not a preliminary or provisional document but must satisfy the same substantive requirements as permanent registration: the ship must be fully built, sea-going, and owned by qualifying Indian entities. The PCOR's validity is limited to six months from issuance or until the ship reaches a port of registry in India, whichever occurs first. The Court ruled that PCOR cannot be renewed or extended beyond six months; it becomes null and void upon expiry. The judgment emphasizes that registration establishes the crucial link between a vessel and its flag state, essential for maritime safety and national interest.
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