Section 179
Jurisdiction of High Court.
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) The admiralty jurisdiction of the respective High Courts under the Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017 (22 of 2017), shall be deemed to extend to any claim for liability arising under this Chapter and shall also extend to any case arising out of such claim, including the constitution of a limitation fund (hereafter in this Chapter referred to as fund) by the ship owner.
(2) All claims arising out of an incident of oil pollution, including the constitution of a fund, shall be made in the High Court having jurisdiction over the pollution damage and if the pollution damage occurs in the Exclusive Economic Zone, or more than one High Court has jurisdiction over such pollution damage, the claim may be made in the High Court which has jurisdiction over the port or place where the ship responsible for such pollution damage is detained.
(2) All claims arising out of an incident of oil pollution, including the constitution of a fund, shall be made in the High Court having jurisdiction over the pollution damage and if the pollution damage occurs in the Exclusive Economic Zone, or more than one High Court has jurisdiction over such pollution damage, the claim may be made in the High Court which has jurisdiction over the port or place where the ship responsible for such pollution damage is detained.