GS 2 – Polity
Context:
The Kerala High Court recently invoked this law to arrest the Liberian ship MSC Akiteta II, following a suit by the state government demanding ₹9,531 crore as compensation for environmental damage to the marine ecosystem.
Overview of the Admiralty Act, 2017:
- Nature of the Act:
A comprehensive central legislation that modernizes and consolidates laws related to maritime claims, ship arrest, and enforcement of maritime rights in India. - Objective:
To provide a uniform legal framework for maritime adjudication, replacing archaic colonial laws from 1861 and 1890.
Key Provisions:
- Expanded Jurisdiction:
Empowers High Courts in Kerala, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh, in addition to Bombay, Calcutta, and Madras, with admiralty jurisdiction. - Types of Maritime Claims (Section 4):
Covers a wide range, including:- Environmental damage
- Oil spills
- Cargo loss
- Crew wage disputes
- Collisions
- Ship ownership conflicts
- Ship Arrest Provisions (Section 5):
Courts may arrest ships even if they are not directly involved in the incident, provided there is a legal ownership link. - Dual Legal Action:
- In rem: Directly against the ship
- In personam: Against the shipowner
- Environmental Safeguards:
Includes explicit legal coverage for marine pollution compensation, a crucial tool for states to seek damages. - Alignment with International Law:
Brings India in sync with UNCLOS and IMO standards.
Significance of the Act:
- Environmental Accountability:
Allows proactive legal action in maritime ecological damage cases (e.g., MSC Elsa III case). - Investor Assurance:
By creating a transparent legal regime, it bolsters investor confidence in maritime infrastructure (e.g., Sagarmala initiative). - Protection for Fisheries Sector:
Enables compensation for livelihood losses — Kerala claimed ₹526 crore on behalf of affected fishermen. - Legal Empowerment of Regional Ports:
Strengthens non-metro ports and ensures legal decentralization in maritime disputes.