Section 57 of The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
- (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.
Summary
(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.
Practical examples
FAQ
1. Does the Maritime Labour Convention apply to fishing boats under the Merchant Shipping Act?
No, Section 57 of the Act states that these standards do not apply to vessels engaged in fishing activities.
2. What happens if a ship owner and a hiring agency both fail to follow the rules in the Merchant Shipping Act?
Section 57 of the Act says the ship owner and the recruitment service are both responsible and can be punished together.
3. Can a ship sail without a maritime labor certificate under the 2025 shipping law?
No, Section 57 of the Act prohibits any vessel from proceeding to sea unless it has a valid certificate required by the law.
Test yourself
Q1.According to Section 57 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, which vessel must follow maritime labour standards?