Government introduces bill to amend Merchant Shipping Act in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: The government today introduced a bill to amend the Merchant Shipping Act seeking to bring the law in line with global convention to protect environment.

The amendments also seek to protect human health from ballast water and sediments used in ships.

Minister of State for Shipping P Radhakrishnan introduced the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2015, in the Lok Sabha amid din, as Congress members indulged in slogan-shouting protesting against Lalit Modi and Vyapam issue.

If the amendments are approved, all new ships will have to carry a ballast water record book and follow ballast water management procedures to a given standard.

Existing ships will be required to do the same, but after a phase-in period. The ships are required to be surveyed and certified and may also be inspected by Port State Control officers who can verify that the vessel has a valid certificate.

The need for the amendment was felt as ballast water poses serious ecological, economic and health problems due to the multitude of marine species being carried in the process, including harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens.

Ships fill their ballast tanks with water to stabilise the vessels at sea to maintain safe operating conditions. Ballast water reduces stress on the hull, provides transverse stability, improves maneuverability and compensates for weight.

The Bill also provides for penalty on violation or non-compliance of the provisions.

The Union Cabinet had cleared the amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, in April.