Section 76
Flag State responsibilities.
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 Central Government shall, for the purposes of giving effect to the provisions of Part A of the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention relating to flag State responsibilities, make rules for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) establishing an effective system for inspection and certification of maritime labour conditions;
(b) authorise public institutions or other organisations competent to carry out inspections or grant certificates;
(c) effective and coordinated system of regular inspections, monitoring and other control measures;
(d) onboard complaint procedure for the fair, effective and expeditious hearing of seafarer’s complaint alleging breach of the Maritime Labour Convention; and
(e) compliance and enforcement.
(2) The Central Government shall, by order, specify such Indian vessels which shall carry and maintain Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance.
(a) establishing an effective system for inspection and certification of maritime labour conditions;
(b) authorise public institutions or other organisations competent to carry out inspections or grant certificates;
(c) effective and coordinated system of regular inspections, monitoring and other control measures;
(d) onboard complaint procedure for the fair, effective and expeditious hearing of seafarer’s complaint alleging breach of the Maritime Labour Convention; and
(e) compliance and enforcement.
(2) The Central Government shall, by order, specify such Indian vessels which shall carry and maintain Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance.