Proposed amendments to Merchant Shipping Act 1995

For feedback on proposed amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 (an Act of Parliament) as it is applied to the Island.  The amendments implement the new higher limits of liability under the Convention on Limitation of Maritime Claims (LLMC), exclude a ship owners right to limit liability under the LLMC for wreck removal and make other minor amendments.

There were 4 responses to the consultation, 3 of which made substantive comments on the proposed changes. Respondents were content with the proposals to implement the new higher limits of liability under the LLMC Convention but raised issues with the other proposals to exclude a shipowners right to limit liability under the LLMC for wreck removal and to some of the other minor changes.

We intend to proceed with the proposed amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 to implement the new higher limits of liability under the LLMC but are currently considering if to proceed with the other proposed amendments.