(1) With effect from such date as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf, there shall be established a Board to be called the National Shipping Board (hereinafter referred to as the Shipping Board) for the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Shipping Board shall consist of the following members, namely:---
(a) six members of Parliament of whom four shall be elected from amongst themselves by members of the House of the People and two from amongst themselves by the members of the Council of States;
(b) such number of other members, not exceeding sixteen, out of which at least four shall be women, as the Central Government may think fit to appoint to the Shipping Board, to represent---
(i) the Central Government;
(ii) ship owners;
(iii) seafarers; and
(iv) such other interests as in the opinion of the Central Government, ought to be represented on the Shipping Board:
Provided that the Shipping Board shall include an equal number of persons representing the ship owners and seafarers.
(3) The term of a member elected under clause (a) of sub-section (2) shall come to an end as soon as he ceases to be a member of the House from which he was elected.
(4) The Central Government shall nominate one of the members of the Shipping Board to be its Chairperson.
(5) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Member of Parliament referred to in clause (a) of sub-section (2) or nominated as Chairperson under sub-section (4), shall not be deemed to be holding the office of profit for the purposes of sub-clause (a) of clause (1) article 102 of the Constitution.
(6) The Shipping Board shall advise the Central Government,---
(a) on matters relating to Indian shipping including the development thereof; and
(b) on such other matters arising out of this Act as the Central Government may refer to it for advice.
(7) The Shipping Board shall have power to regulate its own procedure for the conduct of its business.
(8) The term of office, manner of filling casual vacancies and travelling and other allowances payable to, members of the Shipping Board and the service conditions of the Chairperson, shall be such as may be prescribed.
(9) The Shipping Board shall be assisted by such officers and other employees and the manner of their appointment and the terms and conditions of their service shall be such as may be prescribed.