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 202 Consolidation of claims and distribution of amount.
- Section 203 Extinguishment of right to claim.
- Section 204 Maintenance of compulsory insurance or other financial security.
- Section 205 Direct action against insurer or other person providing financial security.
- Section 206 Grant of certificate.
- Section 207 Ban on entering or leaving port without clearance.
- Section 208 Right of recourse.
- Section 209 Recognition of judgment of court of contracting parties to Bunker Convention.
- Section 210 Power to make rules.
- Section 211 Application of this Chapter.
- Section 212 Definitions.
- Section 213 Contribution to Fund.
- Section 214 Contribution payable by persons to Fund.
- Section 215 Liability of Fund.
- Section 216 Limitation of liability of Fund.
- Section 217 Power to call for information.
- Section 218 Claims against Fund and jurisdiction of courts.
- Section 219 Extinguishment of claims.
- Section 220 Subrogation and right of recourse.
- Section 221 Power of Central Government to establish fund for excess claim.
- Section 222 Power to make rules.
- Section 223 Application of this Part.
- Section 224 Definitions.
- Section 225 Appointment of nodal authority for marine incidents.
- Section 226 Primary response party.
- Section 227 Plans and procedures for response mechanisms.
- Section 228 Powers of nodal authority.
- Section 229 Maintenance of compulsory insurance or other financial security.
- Section 230 Power to make rules.
- Section 231 Marine casualties and report thereof.
- Section 232 Power of Central Government to initiate proceedings.
- Section 233 Application of this Chapter.
- Section 234 Definitions.
- Section 235 Receiver of wreck.
- Section 236 Duty to report wrecks.
- Section 237 Determination of hazard.
- Section 238 Locating and marking of wrecks.
- Section 239 Power to pass over adjoining lands.
- Section 240 Prohibition of certain acts in respect of wreck.
- Section 241 Search warrants where wreck is involved.
- Section 242 Measures to facilitate removal of wrecks.
- Section 243 Liability of ship owner.
- Section 244 Maintenance of insurance or other financial security.
- Section 245 Claims of ship owners to wreck.
- Section 246 Extinguishment of right to claim recovery of costs.
- Section 247 Application of this Chapter.
- Section 248 Definitions.
- Section 249 Salvage payable for saving life, cargo or wreck.
- Section 250 Salvage operations controlled by Government or port and public authorities.
- Section 251 Salvage contracts.
- Section 252 Duties of salvor, owner and master.
- Section 253 Rights of salvors.
- Section 254 Powers and duties of Central Government in relation to salvage operations.
- Section 255 Retention of salvors.
- Section 256 Disputes between ship owner and salvor.
- Section 257 Adjudication of disputes between ship owner and salvor.
- Section 258 Extinguishment of claims.
- Section 259 Savings.
- Section 260 Power to make rules.
- Section 261 Application of this Part.
- Section 262 Definitions.
- Section 263 Decision of question whether a vessel falls under this Part.
- Section 264 Requirements for safety, security, prevention of pollution and insurance.
- Section 265 Manning of fishing vessels.
- Section 266 Central Government to grant certificate of proficiency.
- Section 267 Training for grant of certificate of competency and certificate of proficiency.
- Section 268 Examination for grant of certificate.
- Section 269 Withdrawal, suspension or cancellation of certificate.
- Section 270 Production of certificate.
- Section 271 Agreements in respect of fishing vessel.
- Section 272 Fishery data to be furnished by Indian fishing vessels.
- Section 273 Vessel not to proceed without valid certificates.
- Section 274 Power of Central Government to initiate action against non-mechanically propelled vessels.
- Section 275 Statement relating to crew of vessels to be maintained.
- Section 276 Inquiry to jettisoning of cargo.
- Section 277 Detention of vessel by proper officer.
- Section 278 Detention of unseaworthy vessels.
- Section 279 Power to exempt.
- Section 280 Power to make rules.
- Section 281 Offences and penalties.
- Section 282 Authority for imposition of penalty and procedure therefor.
- Section 283 Place of trial and jurisdiction of court.
- Section 284 Special provision regarding punishment.
- Section 285 Appointment of Special Public Prosecutors.
- Section 286 Penalties in respect of masters or owners of special trade passenger vessels.
- Section 287 Offences by companies.
- Section 288 Depositions to be received in evidence when witness cannot be produced.
- Section 289 Power to detain foreign vessel that has occasioned damage.
- Section 290 Power to enforce detention of vessel.
- Section 291 Levy of wages, etc., by distress of movable property or vessel.
- Section 292 Service of documents.
- Section 293 Birth and death of persons onboard vessel during a voyage.
- Section 294 Inquiry into cause of death onboard or person missing from Indian vessel.
- Section 295 Certain persons deemed to be public servants.
- Section 296 Power of persons authorised to investigate, inquire, etc.
- Section 297 Power to permit alternative provisions and arrangement.
- Section 298 Control of nuclear vessels and security measures.
- Section 299 Exemption of Government vessels, foreign and Indian.
- Section 300 Power to exempt.
- Section 301 Power of Director-General to give directions.
- Section 302 Special provisions with respect to defaulting ship owners.
- Section 303 Right to pursue foreign vessels in high seas.
- Section 304 Power of Central Government with respect to vessel without nationality.
- Section 305 Protection of action taken in good faith.
- Section 306 Agreement with other States.
- Section 307 Control measures and detention of vessels.
- Section 308 Costs of detention and damages.
- Section 309 Procedure for detention of vessel other than Indian vessel.
- Section 310 Obligations of ports under conventions and monitoring thereof by Director-General.
- Section 311 Power of Central Government in respect of abandoned vessels.
- Section 312 Power to cancel, suspend, etc., certificate of seafarers.
- Section 313 Re-hearing.
- Section 314 Maintenance of insurance or such other financial security.
- Section 315 Use and maintenance of electronic records.
- Section 316 Classification of vessels.
- Section 317 Transparency of charges.
- Section 318 Power of Director-General to call for information.
- Section 319 General power to make rules.
- Section 320 Provisions with respect to rules.
- Section 321 Power to remove difficulties.
- Section 322 Power to constitute committees.
- Section 323 Power of Central Government to protect interest of Indian Shipping.
- Section 324 Repeals and savings.
- Section 325 Amendment of Act 20 of 2021.
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