Section 64
Wages.
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) Every ship owner of an Indian vessel shall ensure that full payments due to seafarers are made to them at not later than monthly intervals and are given a monthly account of payments due and amounts paid, including wages and additional payments.
(2) If any amount in respect of wages payable to a seafarer under a seafarer employment agreement is not paid within the monthly interval, the seafarer shall be entitled to wages at the rate last payable under the seafarers&039; employment agreement for every day on which it remains unpaid until the full amount is paid, along with interest at such rate as may be prescribed but no interest shall be payable if the failure to make such monthly payment was due to—
(a) a reasonable mistake; or
(b) a reasonable dispute as to liability; or
(c) the act or default of the seafarer; or
(d) any other cause not being the wrongful act or default of the persons liable to make the payment or of their servants or agents.
(2) If any amount in respect of wages payable to a seafarer under a seafarer employment agreement is not paid within the monthly interval, the seafarer shall be entitled to wages at the rate last payable under the seafarers&039; employment agreement for every day on which it remains unpaid until the full amount is paid, along with interest at such rate as may be prescribed but no interest shall be payable if the failure to make such monthly payment was due to—
(a) a reasonable mistake; or
(b) a reasonable dispute as to liability; or
(c) the act or default of the seafarer; or
(d) any other cause not being the wrongful act or default of the persons liable to make the payment or of their servants or agents.