The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2016 for introducing it in the Parliament. The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2016 is a revamped version of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. The Bill provides for repealing of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 as well as for the repealing of the Coasting Vessels Act, 1838.
- The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 had become a bulky piece of legislation over the years as a result of various amendments carried out in the Act from time to time.
- It was amended 17 times between 1966 and 2014 resulting in an increase in the number of sections to more than 560 sections.
- These provisions have been meticulously shortened to 280 sections in the Bill.
- The provisions of the Bill will simplify the law governing the merchant shipping in India.
- Further, certain redundant provisions will be dispensed with and remaining provisions will stand consolidated and simplified so as to promote case of doing business, transparency and effective delivery of services.
- Augmentation of Indian tonnage promotion/development of coastal shipping in India.
- Introduction of welfare measures for seafarer
- Registration of certain residuary category of vessels not covered under any statute and to make provisions for security-related aspects.
- Incorporation of all International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Conventions/Protocols in the Indian laws up-to-date (an essential pre-requisite for compliance with the IMO Member-State Audit Scheme that is mandatory since 1/1/2016) by inserting provisions relating to seven different conventions.
