Section 78
Rules for enforcement of Maritime Labour Convention.
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, make rules for all or any of the following matters, namely:—
(a) minimum age;
(b) medical certificate;
(c) training and qualifications;
(d) recruitment and placement;
(e) seafarers’ employment agreements;
(f) payment of wages;
(g) hours of work and hours of rest;
(h) entitlement to leave;
(i) repatriation;
(j) compensation in case of loss of vessel or foundering;
(k) manning levels;
(l) service conditions including skill development opportunities;
(m) accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering;
(n) ship owners’ liability;
(o) health protection, medical facilities, welfare and social security protection;
(p) any other matter which is to be or may be required for compliance and enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention.
(2) The Central Government may, for the purposes of giving effect to, Part B of the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention and any other provision of the Maritime Labour Convention which has not been given effect to in this Act, make rules for all or any of the matters specified in sub-section (1).
(a) minimum age;
(b) medical certificate;
(c) training and qualifications;
(d) recruitment and placement;
(e) seafarers’ employment agreements;
(f) payment of wages;
(g) hours of work and hours of rest;
(h) entitlement to leave;
(i) repatriation;
(j) compensation in case of loss of vessel or foundering;
(k) manning levels;
(l) service conditions including skill development opportunities;
(m) accommodation, recreational facilities, food and catering;
(n) ship owners’ liability;
(o) health protection, medical facilities, welfare and social security protection;
(p) any other matter which is to be or may be required for compliance and enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention.
(2) The Central Government may, for the purposes of giving effect to, Part B of the Code of the Maritime Labour Convention and any other provision of the Maritime Labour Convention which has not been given effect to in this Act, make rules for all or any of the matters specified in sub-section (1).