(THE GIST OF PIB) Government issues Draft Merchant Shipping Bill for Public Consultation

[December-2020]

Government issues Draft Merchant Shipping Bill for Public Consultation

• The bill will replace the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
• It aims to promote growth of Indian shipping industry by incorporating best practices from advanced countries like U.S., Japan, U.K., Singapore and Australia.

Key highlights of Bill:

• For the first-time statutory framework for regulating maritime emergency response against maritime incidents have been added.
• Central government has been granted power to mandate compulsory insurance or such other financial security, for pollution damage.
• Provisions for repatriation of abandoned seafarers have been enhanced, in line with Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) regulations.
• Provides for electronic means of registration and does away with requirement of general trading license.

IMO Conventions / protocols, to which India is a party, have been adopted in bill like:

• Convention on Civil Liability for Oil Pollution Damage, 1992
• Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, 1973)
• Convention for the Safety of Fishing Vessels, 1977 of Liability for Maritime Claims 1976

Significance of Bill

• Promotes ease of doing business and increased opportunities for investment.
• Embraces digital technology.
• Impetus to self-reliant domestic investment climate in maritime industry.

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Courtesy: PIB