The Merchant Shipping Law (MSL) Branch within the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in India has several key roles and responsibilities focused on the administration and regulation of maritime activities. It is responsible for drafting domestic legislation to ensure compliance with various international conventions related to maritime safety, pollution prevention, and other mandatory regulations established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other intergovernmental organizations. The branch also contributes to the formulation of shipping policies aimed at enhancing maritime safety, promoting coastal shipping, and ensuring the welfare seafarers.

• Legal inputs, comments, and suggestions have been provided to the Ministry. Internal Branch of DGS.
• Inputs, comments, and suggestions provided on the Draft Bill/Draft Cabinet Note for the Ministry and other ministries.
• Nodal Branch for the Legal Information Management and Briefing System (LIMBS).
• Collected data on all court cases from the allied and subordinate offices—“Court Case Tracker.”