Central Government notified the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour) Rules, 2026, in supersession of the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour) Rules, 2016, except as respects things done or omitted before such supersession.

The Rules apply to all seafarers and ships registered under the Act. They do not apply to ships navigating exclusively in inland or sheltered waters, fishing vessels, traditionally built ships such as dhows and junks, ships of war or naval auxiliaries, and such other ships as the Director-General may decide.

The Rules cover the following subjects across 38 rules and 8 Forms:

Rules 1–3 set out short title, commencement, application, and definitions including “Act,” “armed robbery against ships,” “collective bargaining agreement,” “competent authority,” “contractual claim,” “convention,” “hours of work,” “hours of rest,” “night,” “piracy,” “recognised organisations,” “seafarers’ employment agreement,” and “violence and harassment.”

Rule 4 prescribes minimum age of 16 years for employment on ships. Persons below 18 years shall not work at night or in work likely to jeopardise health or safety.

Rules 5–7 address medical certificates, training and qualification, and recruitment and placement, all with reference to applicable provisions of the Act and rules made thereunder.

Rule 8 sets out requirements for seafarers’ employment agreements, including mandatory written agreements, minimum notice period of seven days for early termination, continuation of agreement during captivity due to piracy or armed robbery, and continuation during ship detention until disembarkation. Agreements must be in English.

Rule 9 prescribes wage payment at not more than monthly intervals. Late payment attracts simple interest at 6% per annum. Ship owners must enable wage remittance to seafarers’ families.

Rule 10 prescribes hours of work and rest. Normal working hours shall not exceed eight hours per day. Minimum rest is 10 hours in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period. Specific provisions apply to young seafarers below 18 years.

Rule 11 entitles seafarers to paid annual leave of not less than 2.5 calendar days per month of employment. Shore leave provisions are also specified.

Rule 12 sets out repatriation obligations, financial security requirements for repatriation, costs to be borne by ship owners, maximum on-board service period of 11 months, and direct access financial security for abandoned seafarers. Form-I prescribes evidence of financial security for repatriation.

Rule 13 provides for compensation to seafarers against unemployment resulting from loss or foundering of a ship, limited to two months’ wages.

Rules 14–15 address manning levels and career and skill development policies for seafarers.

Rules 16–17 address accommodation, recreational facilities, food, and catering onboard.

Rule 18 sets out obligations for medical care onboard and ashore, including 24-hour medical advice by radio or satellite communication.

Rule 19 prescribes ship owners’ liability for sickness, injury, death, and long-term disability of seafarers. Compensation for death is to be paid within three months of the incident; for long-term disability, as far as practicable within twelve months. Form-II prescribes evidence of financial security for ship owners’ liability. Financial security shall not be cancelled without at least 30 days’ prior notice to the Director-General.

Rules 20–22 address health and safety protection, access to shore-based welfare facilities, and social security covering nine branches including medical care, sickness, unemployment, old-age, employment injury, family, maternity, invalidity, and survivors’ benefits.

Rule 23 sets out flag State responsibilities in implementation of the Maritime Labour Convention, including recognition of organisations and annual reporting obligations.

Rule 24 provides for issuance of Maritime Labour Certificates for periods not exceeding five years, intermediate inspections, interim certificates (Form-V) valid for up to six months, and Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance (Form-III and Form-IV).

Rule 25 establishes a system of inspection and enforcement, including powers of inspectors, reporting obligations, and port-related detention powers.

Rule 26 mandates onboard complaint procedures for all Indian flag ships, including escalation to Head of Department, Master, ship owner, and Director-General. Complaints must be filed within three years of the incident.

Rules 27–29 address marine casualties (in accordance with Part XI of the Act), port State inspections, and onshore seafarer complaint-handling procedures.

Rules 30–35 address labour-supplying responsibilities, court procedures for seafarers as parties to litigation, notice requirements, and modification of limitation periods.

Rule 36 prescribes fees for repatriation or replacement of seafarers at Rs. 50 per engagement, subject to revision by the Director-General once every three years, not exceeding 25% per revision.

Rules 37–38 address wages and property of seafarers left behind, deceased or lost overboard, and utilisation of unclaimed amounts for welfare of seafarers.

Form-VIII prescribes the Seafarers’ Employment Agreement format.