Merchant Shipping Bill creates National Shipping Board and Seafarer’s Welfare Board

It sets out comprehensive rules for vessel registration, seafarer rights and welfare, safety, pollution prevention, and liability for maritime incidents.

Who it concerns: The Bill applies to Indian vessels, foreign vessels operating in Indian waters, ship owners, masters, seafarers, salvage operators, and the Central Government.

What the bill does

• Establishment of the National Shipping Board and Seafarer’s Welfare Board.
• Regulation of vessel registration, including Indian and chartered foreign vessels.
• Mandatory maritime education, training, and certification for seafarers.
• Enforcement of maritime labour standards, including wages, hours of rest, and repatriation.
• Safety and security requirements, including mandatory certificates for vessels to proceed to sea.
• Prevention and containment of pollution from vessels, including powers to detain vessels.
• Liability limits for maritime claims, oil pollution damage, and bunker oil pollution.
• Provisions for marine incident and emergency response, including the appointment of a nodal authority.
• Rules for wreck removal and salvage operations.
• Penalties and procedures for offences related to shipping, safety, and pollution.

Also in the document

• The Bill creates new statutory bodies: the National Shipping Board and the Seafarer’s Welfare Board.
• It includes specific provisions for the International Oil Pollution Compensation Fund.
• It mandates compulsory insurance or other financial security for various maritime liabilities.
• It provides for the adjudication of disputes involving seafarers by the shipping master.