A New Act, a New Era
Picture this: You’ve just come home after a six-month contract. You’re exhausted, but your CoC revalidation is due. You gather all the paperwork, send it across, and then the wait begins. Weeks pass. One office says the file is “under process.” Another says a signature is missing. Sound familiar?
We’ve all fought these battles. For decades, the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 was the backbone of our industry — but like an old vessel patched with temporary repairs, it simply couldn’t handle today’s demands.
That’s where the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 comes in. It has been signed by the President, published in the Gazette, but — and here’s the interesting part — it hasn’t yet been enforced. Right now, we’re in the calm before the storm, with a rare chance to prepare before the new rules actually shape our daily lives
Why a New Act Was Needed
Shipping in 1958 looked nothing like it does today. Containerisation hadn’t even begun. IMO conventions were limited. India’s maritime sector was young and still finding its feet.
Fast forward to now: we’re talking MARPOL Annex VI compliance, digital certificates, green fuels, and even autonomous ships. The old Act couldn’t keep up.
The 2025 Act is India’s attempt to align with international standards, modernise regulation, and make our maritime sector more competitive globally.
Key Changes Mariners Should Watch
- Digital Ship Registration
No more chasing paper files across offices. The Act introduces electronic registration and tracking. Will it run flawlessly from Day One? Unlikely — but even a clunky digital system beats stacks of paper.
- Certificates & Competence
This one hits home for every mariner. Certificates of Competency and endorsements will now be tracked digitally and aligned more closely with STCW. That means less room for manipulation, but also fewer excuses when renewals are delayed.
- Safety & Pollution Liabilities
Masters and owners face higher liabilities for lapses. Oil spills, safety incidents, and pollution won’t just mean embarrassment anymore — they’ll mean heavier penalties. For us onboard, that translates into tighter accountability, but also stronger grounds to demand support from owners.
- Seafarer Welfare
Repatriation rights, dispute resolution, and working conditions are more strongly protected. Too many of us have seen colleagues stranded or unpaid; if enforced, these provisions could finally change that story.
Why This Matters to Us Onboard
It’s tempting to think laws are only for owners and lawyers. But when something goes wrong at sea, it’s the master and crew who feel the heat first.
- Certificates will be checked more strictly.
- Reporting will demand accuracy and timeliness.
- Accountability for onboard decisions will rise.
The upside? A system that protects mariners’ rights while making safety non-negotiable.
For Owners & Managers
Shipowners and operators aren’t spared either. The Act raises fines, tightens insurance implications, and pushes decarbonisation sooner rather than later. Compliance is no longer optional — and when owners feel the pressure, expectations onboard will rise.
Challenges & the Global Picture
New laws are only as strong as their enforcement. Digitalisation fails if systems aren’t robust. Welfare promises mean nothing if cases drag on for years.
Countries like Singapore digitalised their systems long ago, and the EU has been steadily tightening environmental rules. India is catching up, but whether this Act succeeds depends on practical execution, not just big announcements.
What Should We Do Now?
While we wait for enforcement, this is our preparation window:
- Audit your paperwork — certificates, endorsements, reporting practices.
- Educate your crew — many still don’t know this Act even exists.
- Stay alert — watch for official notifications; the enforcement date won’t be far away.
Closing Thoughts
The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 isn’t just another amendment. It’s a turning point.
For India, it signals ambition on the global maritime stage.
For owners, it’s stricter liability and compliance costs.
For mariners like us, it’s higher accountability — but also stronger rights and recognition.
When enforcement begins, there will be no excuses. The seas may remain unpredictable, but the law that governs us will be sharper, tougher, and hopefully fairer.
We can either wait and react, or prepare and lead. The choice, as always, is ours
