Section 178
Joint and several liability for ships.
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.
When an incident involving two or more ships occur and pollution damage results therefrom, all the ship owners concerned, unless exonerated under sub-section (3) of section 177, shall be jointly and severally liable for all such damage which is not reasonably separable.