The Indian Maritime Centre (IMC), which is an apex body representing maritime interests in the country conducted an online Seminar on Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 on 24th July 2026.

At the outset, Shri Devki Nandan, Chairman, Indian Maritime Centre, welcomed the Chief Guest, Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Maritime Administration and Additional Secretary to the Government of India, along with the participants. He emphasised the importance of understanding the new legislative framework and its implications for the Indian maritime sector.

In his keynote address, Shri Shyam Jagannathan, Director General of Maritime Administration explained that the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 repeals the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and introduces a modern, simplified and internationally aligned legal framework aimed at making India a globally competitive maritime nation. He stated that the legislation reflects a transition from a compliance-oriented regulatory system to a trust-based governance model. He highlighted that the Merchant Shipping Act forms part of a broader package of maritime legislative reforms, which also includes the revised Indian Ports Act, the Coastal Shipping Act, the Bills of Lading Act and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act. Together, these reforms seek to create a comprehensive and future-ready legal framework for the maritime sector. The keynote presentation outlined several important reforms under the new Act aimed at simplification, Ease of Doing Business, digital transformation, coastal shipping, maritime security, establishment of a Bureau of Port Security, marine casualty response, salvage operations and implementation of international maritime conventions.

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