Lok Sabha to Take Up Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024: A New Era for India’s Maritime Sector

The Lok Sabha is set to pass the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, a landmark legislation aimed at revolutionising India’s maritime sector. The bill introduced by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, on December 10, has been listed for consideration and passing in the lower house on Wednesday.

The legislation seeks to replace the outdated Merchant Shipping Act of 1958.

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Under the act, all vessels are required to be registered, regardless of type of propulsion or weight, expanding the definition of vessels to include mobile offshore drilling units, submersibles, and non-displacement crafts.

The Bill, while allowing partial ownership by Indian citizens, companies, or Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs), with thresholds for ownership to be specified by the central government, also provides for temporary registration of unregistered vessels destined for recycling in India, boosting activities at recycling hubs like Alang.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, empowers the Director-General to regulate maritime education and training, approving training institutes and courses. This move is expected to ensure that Indian seafarers receive high-quality education and training, enabling them to compete effectively in the global maritime industry.

The Bill mandates pollution prevention certificates for all vessels, irrespective of tonnage, and outlines measures for pollution containment and incident reporting. By incorporating international conventions such as MARPOL and the Wreck Removal Convention, the Bill aligns India’s maritime regulations with global standards, thereby promoting sustainability and environmental protection.

The Bill’s relaxed ownership criteria and provisions for temporary registration are expected to increase India’s shipping capabilities and fleet size. This move will enable Indian shipping companies to compete more effectively in the global market, promoting economic growth and development.

The Bill ensures compliance with international maritime labour standards, establishes a certification system for Indian seafarers, and provides access to social security. This move is expected to improve the welfare and dignity of seafarers, promoting a safer and more secure working environment.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, marks a significant step towards modernising India’s maritime sector. With its comprehensive provisions and focus on safety, security, and sustainability, the Bill is poised to unlock the full potential of India’s maritime industry, promoting economic growth, environmental protection, and social welfare.

“The merchant shipping industry has experienced significant changes internationally in recent years, presenting various challenges to Indian shipping. To address these challenges and promote ease of doing business, reforms in the 1958 Act became essential. These reforms aim to modernise the sector, enhance its competitiveness, and align it with global standards to meet evolving international demands,” Sonowal said in the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Bill.

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