Section 123
No vessel to carry passenger without certificate.
The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
About this Act
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.
(1) No vessel shall carry passengers between ports or places in India or from any port or place in India to any port or place outside India, or from any port or place outside India to any port or place in India, unless such vessel has all valid certificates required under this part.
(2) The Central Government may, by general or special order, specify the conditions relating to,—
(a) passenger accommodation;
(b) scale of passenger and amenities to be provided to seafarers;
(c) space or disallowance of any space on a vessel;
(d) scale of provisions and water to be provided;
(e) hospital accommodation and medical facilities;
(f) the conditions for carriage of cargo and livestock; and
(g) any other matter, to carry out the purposes of this Part.
(3) Subject to the conditions specified in sub-section (2), the master of a passenger vessel departing or proceeding on a voyage shall make a statement about the passengers onboard the vessel in such form as may be specified by the Central Government in this behalf.
(2) The Central Government may, by general or special order, specify the conditions relating to,—
(a) passenger accommodation;
(b) scale of passenger and amenities to be provided to seafarers;
(c) space or disallowance of any space on a vessel;
(d) scale of provisions and water to be provided;
(e) hospital accommodation and medical facilities;
(f) the conditions for carriage of cargo and livestock; and
(g) any other matter, to carry out the purposes of this Part.
(3) Subject to the conditions specified in sub-section (2), the master of a passenger vessel departing or proceeding on a voyage shall make a statement about the passengers onboard the vessel in such form as may be specified by the Central Government in this behalf.