Bill's purpose is to consolidate and amend laws governing coastal shipping (Uniformity in regulation), promote coastal trade, connectivity and encourage domestic participation.
- Coastal shipping in India holds great potential owing to its vast coastline (~ 7,500 km) and proximity to important global shipping routes.
Key Highlights of Bill
- Prohibition of coasting trade: Prohibition of trade in coastal water without license by vessels other than Indian vessels.
- Permitting Inland vessels to engage in coastal trading.
- National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan: For development, growth and promotion of coastal shipping.
- National Database of Coastal Shipping: To ensure transparency of procedures and aid in information sharing.
- Licensing of chartered vessels: Empower the Director-General to issue a license after taking into consideration certain factors including citizenship of crew and building requirements of vessel.
- No license granted shall be suspended, revoked or modified, unless the license has been given a reasonable opportunity of being heard.
- Other Provisions: Provision for compounding of certain offences and imposition of penalty by the principal officer; and provision for empowering the Director-General to call for information in respect of certain matters.
About Coastal Shipping Industry in India:
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