The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Act details
| Short title | The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to merchant shipping to ensure compliance with India's obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which India is a party and also to ensure the development of Indian shipping and efficient maintenance of Indian mercantile marine in a manner best suited to serve the national interest and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. |
| Act number | 24 of 2025 |
| Act year | 2025 |
| Enactment date | 18 Aug 2025 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 325 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 28 Oct 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
Act aligns Indian shipping laws with international maritime conventions, strengthens vessel safety, environmental protection, and seafarer welfare, while promoting the development of the Indian shipping industry and ensuring ease of doing business.
Key Provisions
1. Registration and Regulation of Vessels
Mandatory Registration: Indian vessels must be registered in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
Survey and Certification: Vessels are required to undergo periodic surveys, audits, and certification to ensure seaworthiness and compliance with safety standards.
2. Seafarer Welfare and Maritime Education
Seafarers' Rights: Provides for the welfare, training, certification, employment, and working conditions of seafarers.
Maritime Education: Establishes standards for maritime education and training institutions to ensure competent maritime professionals.
3. Safety and Environmental Protection
Safety Measures: Prescribes requirements for vessel safety, security, emergency preparedness, and accident prevention.
Pollution Control: Provides measures for the prevention and containment of pollution from vessels and establishes liability for environmental damage.
4. Maritime Liability and Investigation
Compensation and Liability: Lays down provisions relating to collisions, maritime claims, limitation of liability, and compensation for oil pollution damage.
Marine Casualty Investigation: Establishes procedures for investigating marine accidents, casualties, and wrecks to improve maritime safety.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
Source: Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Act Title - The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
Act Number - Act No. 24 of 2025
Act ID (India Code) - 202524
Presidential Assent date - August 18, 2025
Enforcement Date - April 15, 2026
Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Overhaul & Modernization of Legacy Maritime Laws: Repeals the sprawling Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and the colonial-era Coasting Vessels Act, 1838, replacing 561 outdated sections with 325 streamlined clauses across 15 clean parts.
● Compliance with Global Conventions & Seafarer Welfare: Codifies Indian obligations under key International Maritime Organization (IMO) and ILO conventions—including SOLAS, MARPOL, the Nairobi Wreck Removal Convention, and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006). It expands vessel ownership eligibility (permitting OCIs, NRIs, and bareboat charters) and introduces unified "Marine Casualty" investigation protocols.
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation: Introduced by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, as the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 (Bill No. 183C of 2024) to reduce compliance burdens, digitize ship registration, and support Maritime India Vision 2030.
● Parliamentary Passage: Introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 10, 2024; passed by the Lok Sabha on August 6, 2025; and passed by the Rajya Sabha on August 11, 2025.
● Presidential Assent: Received the assent of the President of India on August 18, 2025.
● Enforcement: Enforced on April 15, 2026.