Section 261
Application of this Part.
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.
Save as otherwise provided, nothing contained in this Act, except the provisions of this Part, Part I, Part II, Part III, Part XI and Part XIV, shall apply to vessels of the following description, namely:—
(a) sailing vessel;
(b) fishing vessel;
(c) vessel whose net tonnage is less than fifteen and is engaged solely in the coasting trade of India:
Provided that the Central Government may, by notification, direct that any other provisions of this Act shall also apply to such vessels subject to such conditions, exceptions and modifications as may be specified in that notification.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “coasting trade of India” means,—
(i) the carriage by sea of goods or passengers or both from any port or place in India to any other port or place in India; or
(ii) performing any service within the waters in the jurisdiction of India, including any part of the adjoining maritime zones of India within the meaning of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976), or any other law for the time being in force or any port or place, including inland ports, as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.
(a) sailing vessel;
(b) fishing vessel;
(c) vessel whose net tonnage is less than fifteen and is engaged solely in the coasting trade of India:
Provided that the Central Government may, by notification, direct that any other provisions of this Act shall also apply to such vessels subject to such conditions, exceptions and modifications as may be specified in that notification.
Explanation.—For the purposes of this section, “coasting trade of India” means,—
(i) the carriage by sea of goods or passengers or both from any port or place in India to any other port or place in India; or
(ii) performing any service within the waters in the jurisdiction of India, including any part of the adjoining maritime zones of India within the meaning of the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 (80 of 1976), or any other law for the time being in force or any port or place, including inland ports, as the Central Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.