New Bills
Government is preparing to introduce Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, both of which promise to bring transformative changes to boost the sector
Why a new bill?
The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, and the Coasting Vessels Act, 1838, are outdated and fail to address the modern needs of the sector.
Key gaps exist, especially for offshore vessels, which make up 50% of Indian-flagged vessels.
The current laws don't provide a legal framework for private sector involvement in maritime training or adequately protect seafarers on foreign-flagged vessels.
The existing regulations hinder the modernization of maritime administration and are a barrier to "ease of doing business."
What are the features of the Merchant Shipping Bill?
The Bill allows for foreign investment and reduces ownership thresholds, enabling NRIs, OCIs, and foreign entities to own Indian vessels.
Temporary registration for demolition: A provision for registering vessels destined for recycling, especially for India’s major ship recycling hubs.
Expanding scope of vessels: The Bill includes various types of vessels (e.g., submersibles, barges, offshore units) under regulation to ensure comprehensive oversight.
Improved coastal security: Enhanced regulatory measures for all vessels to strengthen coastal safety and security.
What about marine pollution?
The Bill fully incorporates international conventions on marine pollution (e.g., MARPOL, Civil Liability Convention).
It aims to reduce pollution from shipping activities, including reducing sulphur content in marine fuel and banning single-use plastics on Indian ships.
The Bill aligns India’s maritime laws with global standards, reinforcing the commitment to protecting the maritime environment.
What are provisions for seafarers?
The Bill extends welfare measures to include Indian seafarers on foreign-flagged vessels.
It aligns with the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) to improve working conditions and safety standards for Indian seafarers, ensuring better protections for the workforce.
What about maritime training?
The Bill introduces a legal framework to regulate maritime training institutes, addressing the gap left after liberalization.
It aims to eliminate unauthorized institutes and ensure high-quality, standardized training across the country, protecting vulnerable youth from exploitation.
Is there a focus on coastal shipping?
The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 separates technical regulations from commercial utilization, focusing on licensing, operations, and the integration of coastal and inland shipping.
The Bill supports the "Sagarmala" program, which promotes coastal shipping and improves infrastructure for smoother cargo movement along India’s coast and Exclusive Economic Zone
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