Section 245
Claims of ship owners to wreck.
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 owner of any wreck in the possession of the receiver, upon establishing his claim to the satisfaction of the receiver within one year from the time at which the wreck came into the possession of the receiver shall, upon paying the salvage and other charges, be entitled to have the wreck or the proceeds thereof delivered to him.
(2) Where any articles belonging to or forming part of a ship other than an Indian vessel which is wrecked or belonging to and forming part of the cargo of such ship, are found in any area to which this Chapter applies or are brought into any port in India, the ambassador of the State in which the ship is registered or, in the case of cargo, the State to which the owners of the cargo may have belonged shall, in the absence of the owner and of the master or other agent of the owner, be deemed to be the agent of the owner, with respect to the custody and disposal of the articles.
(3) Where the owner of the wreck does not appear and claim the balance of the proceeds of sale within one year from the date of sale, the said balance shall become the property of the Central Government.
(2) Where any articles belonging to or forming part of a ship other than an Indian vessel which is wrecked or belonging to and forming part of the cargo of such ship, are found in any area to which this Chapter applies or are brought into any port in India, the ambassador of the State in which the ship is registered or, in the case of cargo, the State to which the owners of the cargo may have belonged shall, in the absence of the owner and of the master or other agent of the owner, be deemed to be the agent of the owner, with respect to the custody and disposal of the articles.
(3) Where the owner of the wreck does not appear and claim the balance of the proceeds of sale within one year from the date of sale, the said balance shall become the property of the Central Government.