The Rajya Sabha has now taken up discussion on the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2013. The bill proposes to amend the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958 to provide for the enforcement of Anti-Fouling Systems on ships. All Indian flag vessels having 400 gross tonnage or more, engaged in international voyages, will be issued with an International anti-Fouling System Certificate. Introducing the bill Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said this will enable the shipping industry to engage in international shipping activities without having to approach the governments of other countries. The Minister also introduced the Merchant Shipping (Second Amendment) Bill, 2013. It aims at giving Maritime Labour Certificate for every Indian Flag vessel of 500 gross tonnage or more and engaged in international voyages.

Initiating the discussion, Shantaram Naik of the Congress said that hijacking of ships is a serious problem and the government should put a mechanism to monitor the movement illegal ships within the maritime boundary. He also talked about the plight of seafarers in a hijacked ship. V P Singh Badnore of the BJP said maritime labour certificate will protect the rights of sea persons in all ports and also save them to be duped by the several fictitious shipping companies. He said international convention aims at protecting the marine environment and human health from adverse effects of use of listed harmful anti-fouling systems.