The Lok Sabha approved the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, on Wednesday, amidst ongoing protests from the opposition, who demanded a discussion on the voter roll revision in Bihar. Despite the brief debate, the Bill swiftly gained passage.
The legislation empowers the central government to detain vessels within India’s jurisdiction or coastal waters if they lack nationality or the legal right to fly a national flag.
This is part of the government’s strategy to enhance maritime regulation.
Replacing the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958, the new Bill introduces a comprehensive framework aimed at supporting India’s burgeoning economic ambitions, reflecting a more modern and dynamic approach to maritime law.
