(1)No ship other than an Indian ship or a ship chartered by a citizen of India [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.(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.(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.
