Category: Maritime Law

Unseaworthy Ships, Safety Standards, Surveys & Certification

January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 admin No Comments

Introduction One of the core objectives of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 is to ensure that ships operating under the Indian flag are safe for navigation and do not endanger human life, property, or the marine environment. To achieve this, the Act lays down strict provisions regarding seaworthiness, surveys, detention of unsafe ships, and certification….

Maritime Law

Duties of the Master, Shipping Casualties, Wrecks & Marine Investigations

January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 admin No Comments

Introduction Under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, the master of a ship holds a position of critical responsibility. Beyond navigation, the master is legally accountable for safety, reporting casualties, protecting life and property, and cooperating with investigations. The Act establishes detailed procedures to ensure transparency, accountability, and justice following maritime accidents. Duties of the Master…

Maritime Law

Crew Discipline, Official Log Books & Rights of Seafarers under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958

January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 admin No Comments

Introduction The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 places significant emphasis on maintaining discipline on board ships while simultaneously protecting the rights and welfare of seafarers. To ensure accountability, the Act clearly defines offences, prescribes procedures for recording misconduct, and lays down strict requirements for maintaining the Official Log Book. These provisions help balance authority on board…

Maritime Law

Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: Registration of Ships & Certificate of Registry

January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 admin No Comments

Introduction The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 is the primary legislation governing merchant shipping in India. It consolidates laws relating to ship registration, safety, discipline, seafarer welfare, marine casualties, pollution prevention, and India’s obligations under international maritime conventions. The Act applies to Indian ships wherever they operate and, in certain cases, to foreign ships while in…

Maritime Law

SCOPIC

March 19, 2025March 19, 2025 admin No Comments

Article 13 reward is given only when the salvage was successful. Many salvors would not go for salvage where success chances were slim. To encourage the salvors, Article 14 was introduced by which the salvor if failed to earn a reward under Article 13 or the reward was not sufficient to recover his own expenses,…

Inventory of Hazardous Materials (IHM)

March 18, 2025March 18, 2025 admin No Comments

INVENTORY OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (IHM) The “Inventory of Hazardous Materials” – formerly referred to at IMO and at LR as the Green Passport –is an inventory of materials present in a ship’s structure, systems and fitted equipment that may behazardous to human health and the environment. The IHM must be maintained throughout the life of…

Maritime Law

Future Amendments

March 14, 2025March 14, 2025 admin No Comments

Entry into force 1 January 2025 Amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes Code (IMSBC Code) -Amendment 07-23 Background: The IMO Resolution MSC.539(107) introduces amendments to the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. These amendments include a combination of addition of new individual schedules and amendments to existing ones. Agreed new individual schedules:…

Marine Insurance

March 12, 2025March 12, 2025 admin No Comments

DEVIATION UNDER THE MARINE INSURANCE ACT & UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES MAY IT BE EXCUSED? A voyage policy generally defines the port of call for the vessel. If the vessel deviates without a lawful excuse, then the underwriters are discharged from their liability from the time of the deviation & it is immaterial that the ship…

Salvage

March 12, 2025March 12, 2025 admin No Comments

FACTORS TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BEFORE MAKING AN OFFER TO TOW ANOTHER VESSEL WHICH IS DISABLED BUT NOT IN DISTRESS? WHEN TOWAGE BECOMES SALVAGE? Prior offering to tow a disabled vessel the master should verify if he is permitted to do so by the charter party and/ or the b/l ‘s. In addition the…

CARBON INTENSITY INDICATOR (CII):

March 5, 2025March 5, 2025 admin No Comments

Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) is a new measure based on an operational approach that supports the IMO’s objective “to reduce CO2 emissions per transport work, as an average across internationalshipping, by at least 40% by 2030, pursuing efforts towards 70% by 2050, compared to 2008.” Resolution MEPC.328(76) adopted at MEPC 76 in June 2021, will…

Maritime Law