Merchant Shipping Bill 2024 Introduced In Lok Sabha

New Delhi: A new bill has been introduced in the Lok Sabha to expand the eligibility criteria for ownership of merchant shipping vessels and provide for investigation and enquiries on marine casualties on Tuesday. The 'Merchant Shipping Bill 2024' empowers the central government to take charge and detain vessels within India or in coastal waters if such a vessel is not legally entitled to fly the flag of a state or has lost such right. The bill seeks to repeal the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958 and provides for concurrent, futuristic and dynamic legislation to meet the requirements of India as an emerging economy. 

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As per the statement of objects and reasons of the bill, the proposed legislation would provide for maritime liability and compensation in claims arising from the collision of vessels and accidents at sea leading to vessel damage and loss of cargo or property. It also provides for the limitation of liability for damages as to certain claims and the constitution of limitation fund. Besides, the bill, tabled in the Lower House by Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, seeks to expand the eligibility criteria for ownership of the vessels and increase tonnage under the Indian flag. It also provides for marine incident and emergency response to provide time-effective and efficient emergency responses to a marine incident and provides for "investigation and inquiries on marine casualties".

Opposition Slams Merchant Shipping Bill, Sonowal Defends Its Constitutional Validity

There was a brief lull in the din created by the opposition over Adani and other issues when Sonowal presented the Merchant Shipping Bill. Opposing the bill at the introductory stage, Manish Tewari (Cong) said the government lacked legislative competence to legislate on merchant shipping as the subject has no direct entry in the central or concurrent list on which the Union (central government) can bring laws.

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Saugata Roy of the TMC said the proposed legislation will only help hand over more powers to the bureaucracy. He said it will only hinder and not develop merchant shipping in the country. After the opposition members had spoken on the bill, the House saw renewed sloganeering by the opposition. Sarbananda Sonowal asserted the bill has been brought as per constitutional provisions and has been vetted by two law ministry departments - legal affairs and legislative.