Section 139
Power of Central Government to give directions.
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) For the purposes of taking any measures under section 138, the Central Government or any other officer authorised by it in this behalf, may, by an order in writing, direct the owner of any Indian vessel or equipment to provide such services or assistance as may be specified in that order.
(2) The owner of any vessel or equipment with respect to which an order is made under sub-section (1), shall be entitled to tariff rates of freight and charter hire, at reasonable rates having regard to current market conditions:
Provided that where tariff rates of freight are not fixed or where there is any dispute about reasonable rate of charter hire, the freight or charter hire, shall be paid at such rates as may be fixed by the Central Government by an order in writing, subject to determination of reasonability of such rates of freight or charter hire by examining such witnesses, documents and accounts as it may deem necessary.
(3) The Director-General may,—
(a) requisition the services of any officer of the Central Government or other officers or any police officer;
(b) requisition the resources and pollution prevention equipment available with any of the offices of the Central Government or other offices or organisations, for the purposes of this Part and it shall be the duty of every such officer or office or organisation to render assistance.
(2) The owner of any vessel or equipment with respect to which an order is made under sub-section (1), shall be entitled to tariff rates of freight and charter hire, at reasonable rates having regard to current market conditions:
Provided that where tariff rates of freight are not fixed or where there is any dispute about reasonable rate of charter hire, the freight or charter hire, shall be paid at such rates as may be fixed by the Central Government by an order in writing, subject to determination of reasonability of such rates of freight or charter hire by examining such witnesses, documents and accounts as it may deem necessary.
(3) The Director-General may,—
(a) requisition the services of any officer of the Central Government or other officers or any police officer;
(b) requisition the resources and pollution prevention equipment available with any of the offices of the Central Government or other offices or organisations, for the purposes of this Part and it shall be the duty of every such officer or office or organisation to render assistance.