New Delhi, October 18, 2026: The Central Government has introduced new rules requiring tribunals handling maritime disputes referred by the government to issue decisions within 90 days, with a possible extension of up to 60 days under specified circumstances. The rules also require tribunal members to have at least 15 years of administrative experience, including three years in the maritime sector.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways notified the Merchant Shipping (Tribunal Members’ Qualification and Submission of Award) Rules, 2026, under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025. Issued through Gazette notification G.S.R. 892(E), dated October 15, 2026, the rules came into force upon publication in the Official Gazette.
The regulations apply to tribunals constituted by the Central Government under Section 89(1) of the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, rather than to all bodies handling maritime disputes in India.
Under the rules, a tribunal must resolve a dispute referred to it by the Central Government by issuing an award within 90 days of the date of referral. The award represents the tribunal’s formal decision on the matter.
If a tribunal cannot meet the deadline, it must record its reasons in writing and request additional time. The Central Government may then grant an extension of up to 60 days, allowing a maximum decision-making period of 150 days where an extension is approved.
The extension is not automatic and requires both a formal request from the tribunal and approval from the government.
The notification also establishes minimum qualifications for tribunal members. Anyone appointed must have knowledge of maritime matters and at least 15 years of administrative experience, including three years in the maritime sector.
The three years of maritime-sector experience form part of the required 15 years of administrative experience rather than constituting an additional requirement beyond that period.
Where a tribunal consists of more than one member, the Central Government may designate one of them as its chairperson. The rules do not prescribe a fixed number of members for every tribunal.
After issuing an award, the tribunal must submit its decision to the Central Government in writing, together with the reasons supporting it, as soon as practicable.
The regulations also clarify that the 90-day period begins when the Central Government formally refers a dispute to the tribunal, rather than when the disagreement first arises between the parties involved.
The new framework establishes procedural requirements for tribunals constituted under the relevant provision of the Merchant Shipping Act, including deadlines for decisions, qualifications for members and the submission of written awards.
However, the notification does not announce the establishment of any particular tribunal, identify disputes currently under consideration or confirm the resolution of an existing case.
The rules establish a defined timetable for decisions on maritime disputes referred by the Central Government while requiring tribunal members to possess substantial administrative experience and relevant knowledge of the maritime sector.
