Section 137
Power to deny entry, detain or move vessel.
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) Where the Central Government has reasonable grounds to suspect that a vessel which proposes to enter a port in India does not comply with the requirements of this Part, it may direct the port to deny entry to such vessel.
(2) Where the Central Government has reasonable grounds to suspect that a vessel does not comply with the requirements of this Part and poses a threat of harm to the coast or coastal waters or has caused such harm, it may direct any proper officer to detain the vessel or have the vessel moved to such place and for such period as it may deem fit.
(3) Where any vessel detained under this section proceeds to sea before being released, the master of the vessel, ship owner or any person who sends the vessel to sea, shall be liable to penalty under this Act.
(2) Where the Central Government has reasonable grounds to suspect that a vessel does not comply with the requirements of this Part and poses a threat of harm to the coast or coastal waters or has caused such harm, it may direct any proper officer to detain the vessel or have the vessel moved to such place and for such period as it may deem fit.
(3) Where any vessel detained under this section proceeds to sea before being released, the master of the vessel, ship owner or any person who sends the vessel to sea, shall be liable to penalty under this Act.