Section 38
Concealment of Indian or assumption of foreign character.
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.
No owner or master of an Indian vessel shall knowingly do anything or permit anything to be done, or carry or permit to be carried any papers or documents, with intent to conceal the Indian character of the vessel from any person entitled by any law for the time being in force to inquire into the same, or with intent to assume a foreign character for the vessel, or with intent to deceive any person so entitled.