USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 is a comprehensive legislation dealing with merchant shipping in India. The statute had been enacted to foster the development and ensure the efficient maintenance of an Indian mercantile marine ecosystem in a manner best suited to serve the national interests.

Detailed explanation-2: -(1) This Act may be called the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. (2) It shall come into force on such date1 as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint, and different dates1 may be appointed for different provisions of this Act.

Detailed explanation-3: -(i) In 1986, Section 80 of the Act regarding grant of certificate of service to naval officers was deleted from the Act, as the International Convention on Standards of training, Certification and Watch-keeping 1978 (to which India is a party) does not permit grant of certificates of service without examination.