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

This Bill establishes a comprehensive legal framework for the regulation of merchant shipping in India, covering vessel registration, seafarer welfare, maritime safety, and pollution control. It aims to consolidate existing laws and align Indian regulations with international maritime conventions.

The Bill applies to Indian vessels, foreign vessels operating in Indian waters, ship owners, masters, seafarers, salvage operators, and the Central Government. It also affects insurers and financial security providers related to maritime claims and pollution.

• Establishment of the National Shipping Board and Seafarer’s Welfare Board.
• Mandatory registration of Indian vessels and specific rules for foreign chartered vessels.
• Requirements for seafarer certification, training, and adherence to maritime labor standards including wages, rest, and repatriation.
• Safety and security requirements for vessels, including mandatory certificates before proceeding to sea.
• Provisions for the prevention and containment of pollution from vessels, including powers to detain vessels and deny entry.
• Rules for survey, audit, and certification of vessels by authorized officers.
• Liability frameworks for collisions, oil pollution damage, and bunker oil pollution, including limitation of liability and compulsory insurance.
• Procedures for marine incident response, investigation of casualties, and handling of wrecks and salvage operations.
• Specific regulations for sailing, fishing, and other non-merchant vessels.
• Penalties and procedures for offences related to the above provisions.

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