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Govt clears amendments to Merchant Shipping Bill

November 6: The Union Cabinet, on November 5, approved the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2013 paving the way for issuance of International Anti-Fouling System Certificate (AFS) to merchant vessels having 400 gross tonnage, said an official release from the Ministry of Shipping.

The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2013 incorporates recommendations of the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee and for accession to the Anti-Fouling Systems (AFS) Convention, 2001 of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) after enactment of the Bill.

This will enable the vessels to engage in international shipping activities without having to approach other governments, who have ratified the convention for such certificates, the release said.

Further, India will be able to ensure that all foreign flag vessels entering Indian territorial waters or the exclusive economic zone are duly certified in accordance with the requirement of the AFS Convention 2001, it added.

The Merchant Shipping (Second Amendment) Bill, apart from incorporating the recommendations of the department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee like the previous one, includes ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) after enactment of the Bill.

“By ratifying the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, around 1.25 lakh serving Indian national seafarers may stand to benefit from its provisions,” the release said.

“Ships will need to comply with the convention through holding a Maritime Labour Certificate. Indian flag merchant vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more and engaged in international voyages will be issued a Maritime Labour Certificate after an inspection of the ship concerned. This will enable them to receive preferential treatment and exemption from inspection, for this purpose, at foreign ports,” it said 

“Besides, India will be able to ensure that-all foreign flag vessels entering Indian territorial waters or maritime areas over which India has jurisdiction are subject to an inspection under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and ensure that rights of all seafarers (regardless of their nationality) are protected,” the release added.