Section 196
Application of this Chapter.
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.
This Chapter shall apply to,—
(a) pollution damage caused due to escape or discharge of bunker oil from every Indian vessel and from every ship other than an Indian vessel while it is,—
(i) within the territory of India including territorial waters; or
(ii) at a port or a place in India or within the coastal waters, not extending more than two hundred nautical miles from the baseline;
(b) preventive measures for preventing or minimising the pollution damage, but shall not apply to—
(a) warships, naval auxiliary or other vessels owned or operated by the Government and used for the time being, only for non-commercial purposes;
(b) pollution damage specified in Chapter III of this Part.
(a) pollution damage caused due to escape or discharge of bunker oil from every Indian vessel and from every ship other than an Indian vessel while it is,—
(i) within the territory of India including territorial waters; or
(ii) at a port or a place in India or within the coastal waters, not extending more than two hundred nautical miles from the baseline;
(b) preventive measures for preventing or minimising the pollution damage, but shall not apply to—
(a) warships, naval auxiliary or other vessels owned or operated by the Government and used for the time being, only for non-commercial purposes;
(b) pollution damage specified in Chapter III of this Part.