The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
Central Act · Act 24 of 2025324 provisions
The enactment
| Long title | An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to merchant shipping to ensure compliance with India's obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party and also to ensure the development of Indian shipping and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine in a manner best suited to serve the national interest and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. |
|---|---|
| Type | Act |
| Citation | Act 24 of 2025 |
| Year | 2025 |
| Jurisdiction | Central |
| Ministry | Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways |
| Status | In force as published by the source |
| Provisions published | 324 |
| Subjects | transport |
Full text, provision by provision
Every provision below opens in full, free and without an account.
- Section 1 Short title and commencement.
- Section 2 Application of Act.
- Section 3 Definitions.
- Section 4 Establishment of National Shipping Board.
- Section 5 Constitution of Seafarer’s Welfare Board.
- Section 6 Power to make rules.
- Section 7 Director-General of Maritime Administration.
- Section 8 Officers.
- Section 9 Surveyors.
- Section 10 Senior radio surveyors and radio inspectors.
- Section 11 Mercantile Marine Department.
- Section 12 Shipping office.
- Section 13 Body for security of vessels and port facilities.
- Section 15 Indian vessel and its registration.
- Section 16 Registration of Indian chartered foreign vessels.
- Section 17 Temporary registration of vessels sought to be recycled.
- Section 18 Registrar of Indian vessels.
- Section 19 Provisional registration of Indian vessel.
- Section 20 Procedure for registration of Indian vessels.
- Section 21 Temporary pass in lieu of certificate of registration.
- Section 22 Custody and use of certificate.
- Section 23 Transfer of Indian vessel or shares.
- Section 24 Transmission of property in Indian vessel on death, insolvency, etc.
- Section 25 Order for sale where vessel has ceased to be an Indian vessel.
- Section 26 Mortgage of vessel or share.
- Section 27 Rights of mortgagee.
- Section 28 Liability of mortgagee.
- Section 29 Mortgage not affected by insolvency.
- Section 30 Transfer of mortgages.
- Section 31 Transmission of interest in mortgage in certain circumstances.
- Section 32 Rules as to name of vessel.
- Section 33 Registration of alterations.
- Section 34 Provisional certificate and endorsement where vessel is to be re-registered.
- Section 35 Transfer of registration.
- Section 36 Restrictions on re-registration of abandoned vessel.
- Section 37 National colours for Indian vessels.
- Section 38 Concealment of Indian or assumption of foreign character.
- Section 39 Liabilities of vessel not recognised as Indian vessel.
- Section 40 Proceedings on forfeiture of vessel.
- Section 41 Liability of owners.
- Section 42 Evidence of register book, certificate of registration and other documents.
- Section 43 Closure of registration.
- Section 44 Power to make rules.
- Section 45 Certificates to be held by seafarers.
- Section 46 Certificate of competency and certificate of proficiency.
- Section 47 Training for grant of certificate of competency and certificate of proficiency.
- Section 48 Examination for grant of certificates.
- Section 49 Production of certificate of competency.
- Section 50 Recognition of certificates of competency granted in other States.
- Section 51 Foreign vessel not to sail without seafarers having certificate.
- Section 52 Obligations of certain certificate holders to serve on Indian vessels.
- Section 53 Power to make rules.
- Section 54 Application of this Part.
- Section 55 Definitions.
- Section 56 Classification of seafarers.
- Section 57 Application of maritime labour standards to seafarers and vessels.
- Section 58 Duties of shipping master, director and seafarer’s welfare officer.
- Section 59 Minimum age for seafarers.
- Section 60 Medical certificate.
- Section 61 Training and qualifications.
- Section 62 Recruitment and placement of seafarers.
- Section 63 Agreement with seafarers.
- Section 64 Wages.
- Section 65 Hours of rest.
- Section 66 Entitlement to leave.
- Section 67 Repatriation.
- Section 68 Compensation for vessel’s loss or foundering.
- Section 69 Manning levels.
- Section 70 Accommodation and recreational facilities.
- Section 71 Food and catering.
- Section 72 Medical care.
- Section 73 Ship owners’ liability.
- Section 74 Health and safety protection and accident prevention.
- Section 75 Social security.
- Section 76 Flag State responsibilities.
- Section 77 Port State responsibilities.
- Section 78 Rules for enforcement of Maritime Labour Convention.
- Section 79 Payment of wages.
- Section 80 Discharge of seafarers.
- Section 81 Wages and property of deceased seafarers and seafarers left behind.
- Section 82 Certain undisbursed amounts to be utilised for welfare of seafarers.
- Section 83 Shipping master to adjudicate disputes involving seafarer.
- Section 84 Power of shipping master to require production of documents.
- Section 85 Wages not recoverable outside India in certain cases.
- Section 86 Summary proceedings for wages.
- Section 87 Restrictions on suits for wages.
- Section 88 Remedies of master for wages, disbursements, etc.
- Section 89 Power to refer disputes between seafarers and employers to Tribunal.
- Section 90 Recovery of wages, etc., of seafarers lost with vessel.
- Section 91 Relief and maintenance of abandoned seafarers.
- Section 92 Replacement crew onboard abandoned vessels.
- Section 93 Inspection by shipping master, etc.
- Section 94 Special provisions for protection of seafarers in respect of litigation.
- Section 95 Facilities for making complaint.
- Section 96 Vessel not to be boarded without permission.
- Section 97 Misconduct endangering life or vessel.
- Section 98 Desertion and absence without leave.
- Section 99 General liability against discipline.
- Section 100 Smuggling of goods by seafarer.
- Section 101 Entry of offences in official logbook.
- Section 102 Report of desertions and absences without leave.
- Section 103 Entries and certificates of desertion abroad.
- Section 104 Facilities for proving desertion in proceedings for forfeiture of wages.
- Section 105 Application of forfeitures.
- Section 106 Decision of questions of forfeiture and deduction in suits for wages.
- Section 107 Payment of fines imposed under agreement to shipping master.
- Section 108 Seafarer not to be enticed to desert.
- Section 109 Stowaways and seafarers carried under compulsion.
- Section 110 On change of master, documents to be handed over to successor.
- Section 111 Deserters from foreign vessels.
- Section 112 Official logbook.
- Section 113 Power to make rules.
- Section 114 Application of this Part.
- Section 115 Definitions.
- Section 116 Safety and security requirements.
- Section 117 Reporting of incidents.
- Section 118 Obligations to render assistance on receiving signal of distress and to persons in danger.
- Section 119 Search and rescue services.
- Section 120 Radio communication requirements.
- Section 121 Information about vessel’s stability.
- Section 122 Submersion of load lines.
- Section 123 No vessel to carry passenger without certificate.
- Section 124 Vessel not to proceed to sea without valid safety and security certificates.
- Section 125 Penalties for certain acts.
- Section 126 Vessel not to carry cargo or passengers in contravention of Act.
- Section 127 Unseaworthy vessel not to be sent to sea.
- Section 128 Obligation of ship owner, master or agent with respect to seaworthiness.
- Section 129 Safety and security management.
- Section 130 Power to make rules.
- Section 131 Application of this Part.
- Section 132 Definitions.
- Section 133 Control of discharge or emission of harmful substances or dumping at sea.
- Section 134 Prevention and containment of pollution and response.
- Section 135 Vessel not to proceed to sea without valid pollution prevention certificates.
- Section 136 Record books.
- Section 137 Power to deny entry, detain or move vessel.
- Section 138 Power to take measures for containment of pollution and reporting of incidents.
- Section 139 Power of Central Government to give directions.
- Section 140 Measures for detection of pollution.
- Section 141 Appointment of analysts.
- Section 142 Reception facilities.
- Section 143 Power to make rules.
- Section 144 Survey, audit and certification.
- Section 145 Certificates.
- Section 146 Power of surveyor.
- Section 147 Compliance of provisions of convention.
- Section 148 Recognition of certificates granted outside India.
- Section 149 Grant of certificate to foreign vessels in India and Indian vessels in foreign States.
- Section 150 Power to call for information.
- Section 151 Power to conduct inspections.
- Section 152 Power to make rules.
- Section 153 Application of this Chapter.
- Section 154 Apportionment of liability.
- Section 155 Damage or loss of vessel, cargo or property.
- Section 156 Joint and several liability for loss of life or personal injury.
- Section 157 Right of contribution.
- Section 158 Duty of master of vessel to assist in case of collision.
- Section 159 Collision to be entered in official logbook.
- Section 160 Report to Director-General of accidents to vessels.
- Section 161 Notice of loss of Indian vessel to be given to Director-General.
- Section 162 Limitation of liability for damages in respect of certain claims.
- Section 163 Conduct barring limitation.
- Section 164 Counter claims.
- Section 165 Limits of liability.
- Section 166 Limit for passenger claims.
- Section 167 Aggregation of claims.
- Section 168 Constitution of limitation fund.
- Section 169 Limitation of liability without constitution of a limitation fund.
- Section 170 Distribution of fund.
- Section 171 Bar to other actions.
- Section 172 Compulsory insurance or other financial security for maritime claims subject to limitation.
- Section 173 Scope of application of this Chapter.
- Section 174 Power to make rules for matters under Chapters I and II of this Part.
- Section 175 Application of this Chapter.
- Section 176 Definitions.
- Section 177 Liability of ship owner.
- Section 178 Joint and several liability for ships.
- Section 179 Jurisdiction of High Court.
- Section 180 Jurisdiction where pollution damage occurs in two or more States.
- Section 181 Limitation of liability.
- Section 182 Constitution of limitation fund.
- Section 183 Claims for compensation where fund is established.
- Section 184 Acquisition of right for compensation by subrogation.
- Section 185 Consolidation of claims and distribution of fund.
- Section 186 Arrest and sale of ship if ship owner, etc., unable to satisfy claims for compensation.
- Section 187 Restriction on enforcement of claims after establishment of fund.
- Section 188 Compulsory insurance or other financial security.
- Section 189 Acceptance of certificate granted outside India.
- Section 190 Ban on entering or leaving an Indian port without certificate.
- Section 191 Direct action against insurer or other person providing financial security.
- Section 192 Recognition of judgment of court of contracting parties to Civil Liability Convention.
- Section 193 Limitation period.
- Section 194 Government ships.
- Section 195 Power to make rules.
- Section 196 Application of this Chapter.
- Section 197 Definitions.
- Section 198 Liability for bunker oil pollution.
- Section 199 Exemption from liability.
- Section 200 Right of ship owner to limitation of liability.
- Section 201 Determination of limitation of liability.
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