Section 57
Application of maritime labour standards to seafarers and vessels.
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 provisions relating to maritime labour standards as contained in the Maritime Labour Convention, shall apply to all seafarers and vessels registered under this Act, but shall not apply to,—
(a) vessels which navigate exclusively in inland waters or waters within, or closely adjacent to, sheltered waters or areas where any law for the time being in force relating to ports apply;
(b) vessels engaged in fishing activities;
(c) traditionally built vessels such as dhows and junks;
(d) vessels of war or naval auxiliaries.
(2) Every vessel registered under this Act and every vessel other than an Indian vessel while within the jurisdiction of India shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, be in possession of a certificate granted in accordance with the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention.
(3) No vessel shall proceed to sea unless it is in possession of the certificate referred to in sub-section (2).
(4) The ship owner and the recruitment and placement service provider shall jointly and severally be liable to discharge the responsibilities of the ship owner and such service provider shall be deemed to be the ship owner for the purposes of offences and penalties under sections 281 and 282.
(a) vessels which navigate exclusively in inland waters or waters within, or closely adjacent to, sheltered waters or areas where any law for the time being in force relating to ports apply;
(b) vessels engaged in fishing activities;
(c) traditionally built vessels such as dhows and junks;
(d) vessels of war or naval auxiliaries.
(2) Every vessel registered under this Act and every vessel other than an Indian vessel while within the jurisdiction of India shall, subject to such conditions as may be prescribed, be in possession of a certificate granted in accordance with the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention.
(3) No vessel shall proceed to sea unless it is in possession of the certificate referred to in sub-section (2).
(4) The ship owner and the recruitment and placement service provider shall jointly and severally be liable to discharge the responsibilities of the ship owner and such service provider shall be deemed to be the ship owner for the purposes of offences and penalties under sections 281 and 282.