THE MERCHANT SHIPPING BILL, 2024
Where this law is right now
🏛️ Became law (Act)
Plain-language summary (AI-generated) — a quick read so you don't have to open the full PDF. May contain errors; the original document below is authoritative.
What does this law do?
This law updates and consolidates India's merchant shipping regulations, replacing older laws with a modern framework for vessel registration, seafarer welfare, safety, pollution prevention, and liability. It aims to align with international maritime standards and improve governance in the shipping sector.
Who it affects
Indian vessel owners, seafarers, shipping companies, port authorities, and maritime administration bodies.
Key provisions
- Establishment of National Shipping Board and Seafarer’s Welfare Board
- Registration requirements for Indian vessels and foreign vessels chartered by Indian entities
- Mandatory certificates for seafarers and vessel safety/security certificates
- Provisions for seafarer welfare including wages, accommodation, medical care, and repatriation
- Penalties for violations related to safety, pollution, and seafarer rights
- Rules for pollution prevention, containment, and response
- Liability and compensation for maritime incidents, collisions, and oil pollution
Points worth noting
- Repeals older laws related to merchant shipping
- Aligns with international conventions on maritime safety, pollution, and seafarer rights
- Creates new bodies for maritime administration and seafarer welfare
| Source body | Parliament of India — Bills (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) |
| Reference number | 183 |
| Status | closed (section: bill) |
| Year | 2024 |
| Closing date | — |
| Documents | 3 |
Highlights & Points worth asking
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Documents
The original government PDF is the authoritative source — shown below, or open it full-screen in a new tab.
Bill_passed_both
THE-MERCHANT-SHIPPING-BILL-2024-bill_passed_both.pdf
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Bill_introduced
2024-12-10
THE-MERCHANT-SHIPPING-BILL-2024-bill_introduced.pdf
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Bill_passed_ls
2025-08-06
THE-MERCHANT-SHIPPING-BILL-2024-bill_passed_ls.pdf
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