Section 22
Custody and use of certificate.
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 certificate of registration shall be used only for the lawful navigation of the vessel and shall at all times remain in the custody of the person in charge of the vessel and shall not be subject to detention by reason of any title, lien, charge or interest whatever, had or claimed by any owner, mortgagee or other person to, on or in the vessel.
(2) No person, whether interested in a vessel or not who has in his possession or under his control the certificate of registration of a vessel shall refuse or omit without reasonable cause, to deliver such certificate on demand, to the person entitled to the custody thereof for the purposes of the lawful navigation of the vessel or, to any Registrar or other person entitled by law to require such delivery.
(3) If the master or owner of an Indian vessel uses or attempts to use for her navigation a certificate of registration not legally granted in respect of the vessel, he shall be guilty of an offence under this sub-section and the vessel shall be liable to forfeiture.
(2) No person, whether interested in a vessel or not who has in his possession or under his control the certificate of registration of a vessel shall refuse or omit without reasonable cause, to deliver such certificate on demand, to the person entitled to the custody thereof for the purposes of the lawful navigation of the vessel or, to any Registrar or other person entitled by law to require such delivery.
(3) If the master or owner of an Indian vessel uses or attempts to use for her navigation a certificate of registration not legally granted in respect of the vessel, he shall be guilty of an offence under this sub-section and the vessel shall be liable to forfeiture.