Central Government, in exercise of the cited powers read with Section 143, made these rules, superseding the Merchant Shipping (Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships) Rules, 2010, except as respects things already done or omitted to be done before such supersession.

The rules define terms (Act, administration, certificate, convention, sewage, special area, etc.); apply to new vessels of 400 GT and above, new vessels under 400 GT certified to carry more than 15 persons, and corresponding existing vessels five years after September 27, 2003.

They set out exceptions/exemptions (Rule 4), survey requirements — initial, renewal, additional (Rule 5), issue/endorsement of certificates including at the request of another administration (Rules 6–7), exemption certificates for unmanned non-self-propelled barges (Rule 8), certificate validity periods and extensions (Rule 9), reception facilities (Rule 10), polar waters compliance (Rule 11), control on operational requirements (Rule 12), and penalties (Rule 13) — penalty up to fifty thousand rupees, with an additional penalty up to five thousand rupees per day for continuing breach.

Schedule I sets out sewage system, discharge connection, and holding tank equipment/capacity requirements. Schedule II contains three certificate forms (International Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate, Indian Sewage Pollution Prevention Certificate, and UNSP Barge Exemption Certificate).