The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Act 2017: A Sea Change?

INTRODUCTION

The Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Act 2017 ("MSAA 2017") was passed by Dewan Rakyat and Dewan Negara on 9 and 16 August 2017 respectively to amend the Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952 ("MSO 1952"). Although the MSAA 2017 was gazetted and became law on 1 December 2017, it will only come into force on a date appointed by the Minister.

This article will provide an overview of the key amendments made in MSAA 2017, specifically the registration of ships under the Malaysia Ship (International) Register, bareboat charteredout ships, the Registrar's new powers, the rights of mortgagees, licensing of ships, increment of penalties, and the Malaysia Shipping Development Fund.