KATHMANDU, Dec 29: The government has prepared a bill to regulate the operation of ships, ‘Ship (Operation and Management) Bill 2081 BS’, and it has been submitted to parliament for consideration. This bill aims to establish a legal framework for the safe and systematic operation of ships in Nepal.
Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport, Devendra Dahal, has registered the bill related to ship operation in the National Assembly. According to him, the bill aims to create a legal framework to develop and expand ship operations.
He explained the reason for introducing the bill, stating, "Effective regulation is needed to make ship services safe, high-quality, reliable, regular, and well-organized."
Once the proposed bill is enacted, it will establish regulations for determining waterway routes, permissions, and usage. It will also cover provisions related to the construction of ships, operation of water transport services, surveys, registrations, and the issuance of certificates for vessels.
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The bill also aims to establish provisions for granting national certification to commercial ships, using Nepal’s flag on ships, transferring ownership and mortgage rights, and issuing certificates related to tonnage and safety standards. The Ministry of Physical Infrastructure and Transport (MoPIT) has highlighted these key aspects in the proposed legislation.
Once the bill is enacted, it will outline the conditions for operating ships, including pollution control, waste management, maintenance, accident investigations, search and rescue operations, and the responsibilities and powers of the watercraft office and registrar.
The MoPIT has stated that the new bill is necessary to establish regulations for the appointment of watercraft inspectors and staff, as well as for issuing sailor books and identity cards, uniforms, wages, and benefits.
The Cabinet meeting approved the bill to be presented in Parliament on July 11, 2024, as stated by the MoPIT.
According to Minister Dahal, once the bill is passed in parliament, the regulation of ships operating on internal waterways will ensure safe, high-quality, reliable, regular, and organized services. Additionally, effective implementation will be made for the registration, survey, and flag-related arrangements of ships.
Minister for Physical Infrastructure and Transport Dahal said that operating Nepali flag-carrier ships on the oceans will be possible, which will contribute to the country’s economic development.
According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, both coastal and landlocked countries have equal rights in maritime matters. Based on this, Nepal had enacted the Ship Registration Act 2027 BS. However, after the implementation of numerous international treaties, the provisions of the 2027 Act are now insufficient for registering Nepali flag-carrier ships, as these treaties' requirements are not covered by the existing law, the MoPIT has stated.
Minister Dahal highlighted the need for legislation regarding the operation of Nepali flag-carrier ships at sea. He pointed out that many Nepali nationals are employed on foreign ships, requiring provisions for sailor books, identification cards, training, health checks, and other related matters, which are not adequately covered under the current legal framework.
According to him, the bill is also necessary for internal purposes. He writes, "Given the operation of various types of ships on rivers and lakes within Nepal, it is essential to regulate their registration and operation, thus promoting internal water transport, which is why I have presented this bill."
