Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024

 Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 

• ✅ Bill Passed: The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 6, 2025, after a brief discussion.

• 🗳️ Opposition Protests: The passage occurred amid protests by Opposition members demanding a discussion on poll roll revision in Bihar.

• ⚓ Main Objective: Expands eligibility criteria for ownership of merchant shipping vessels.

• 🔍 Marine Investigations: Provides for investigation and enquiries into marine casualties.

• 🚢 Vessel Detention Powers: Empowers the central government to detain vessels in India or coastal waters if:

  • The vessel is without nationality,

  • Not legally entitled to fly any national flag, or

  • Has lost its right to fly a national flag.

• 📜 Repeals Old Law: Repeals the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.

• 📈 Modern Legislation: Aims to provide a contemporaneous, futuristic, and dynamic legal framework aligned with India’s growth as an emerging maritime economy.