The Admiralty (Jurisdiction and Settlement of Maritime Claims) Act, 2017 [Act No. 22 of 2017].

This Act provides for the admiralty jurisdiction in respect of maritime claims and related provisions. It consists of four chapters: I. Preliminary; II. Admiralty Jurisdiction and Maritime Claims; III. Procedure and Appeals; and IV. Miscellaneous.
Chapter I provides for the short title, application, commencement and definitions. It applies to every vessel, irrespective of the place of residence or domicile of the owner, except inland vessels, warships or vessels owned by governments for non-commercial purposes. Chapter II vests the jurisdiction in respect of all maritime claims under the Act in the respective High Courts. This includes ownership disputes, mortgage on vessels, loss or damage caused by vessels, dispute arising out of contracts, insurance, threat to environment etc. It provides for arrest of vessels, sale of vessels, inter se priority on maritime lien and order of priority of maritime claims. Chapter III allows for appeals and assistance of assessors. Chapter IV empowers the central government to make rules for carrying out the purposes of this Act.