Govt issues draft Merchant Shipping Bill for public consultation

27 Nov 2020 CW Staff

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has issued a draft of the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2020, for public consultation. It aims to repeal and replace the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (Act No. 44 of 1958) and the Coasting Vessels Act, 1838 (Act No. 19 of 1838). The draft of the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2020 is issued for seeking the feedback and suggestions from the public, and can be accessed on the link: http://shipmin.gov.in/sites/default/files/Draft_MS_Bill_2020.pdf and suggestions can be sent to msbill2020@gmail.com by 24 December 2020.

The bill’s primary aim is to promote the growth of the Indian shipping industry by incorporating the best practices adopted by other advanced countries like the US, Japan, UK, Singapore and Australia. All up-to-date IMO conventions / protocols, to which India is a party, have been adopted in it. Adequate provisions are incorporated to ensure the safety and security of vessels, safety of life at sea, prevent marine pollution, provide for maritime liabilities and compensations, and ensure comprehensive adoption of India’s obligations under International Conventions.

The Bill seeks to provide increased opportunities for investment and provide greater impetus to a self-reliant domestic investment climate in the maritime industry. The provisions regulating the maritime education, training, certification and the recruitment and placement of seafarers and ease of registration of ships under the Indian flag will give an impetus to the quality and quantity of Indian seafarers. Consequently, it will boost employment opportunities for Indian seafarers in the national and international market.

Source: Press Information Bureau

Real Estate

05 Nov 2025

83% of Indian Employees Welcome Office Return: JLL Report

India is leading the global Return-to-Office (RTO) movement, with 82 per cent of employees currently under office-based work mandates and 83 per cent expressing positive sentiment toward the shift, according to JLL’s Workplace Preference Barometer 2025. This enthusiasm positions India well above the Asia-Pacific average of 64 per cent, underscoring the country’s progress in creating people-centric, flexible, and productive workplaces.The technology, BFSI, and education sectors are at the forefront of this RTO trend, with Indian corporates excelling in designing work environments that balan..

ServeU, PureBlue Water Partner to Boost Sustainable Water Management in UAE

ServeU, a subsidiary of Union Properties and a leading facilities management provider in the UAE, has signed a strategic partnership with PureBlue Water, an innovator in sustainable water and wastewater technologies. The collaboration aims to promote efficient water use, cost reduction, and circular water management across the UAE’s residential, commercial, industrial, and leisure sectors.This partnership integrates ServeU’s regional expertise with PureBlue Water’s advanced distributed treatment systems, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional centralized sewer networks. These ..

Eurobond Expands Global Footprint with Launch of Eurobond Europe

Euro Panel Products, the parent company of Eurobond, has announced its official entry into the European market with the launch of Eurobond Europe, which will serve as the brand’s exclusive distributor across the region.Established in 2002, Eurobond is among India’s leading manufacturers of Aluminium Composite Panels (ACP) and façade solutions. With a state-of-the-art facility in Gujarat and exports to over 20 countries, the company continues to set benchmarks in quality, design, and innovation. Its expansion into Europe marks a strategic step in strengthening its global presence.Divyam Sh..