Colombo, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka’s maritime sector is facing renewed scrutiny amid concerns that several major international maritime conventions accepted by the country have not yet been fully incorporated into domestic law through comprehensive Acts of Parliament and supporting regulations.
As one of the Indian Ocean’s most strategically located maritime nations, Sri Lanka has signed, ratified, or acceded to numerous international shipping, safety, labour, and environmental conventions administered by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO). However, maritime legal experts and industry stakeholders say significant gaps remain between Sri Lanka’s international obligations and their practical implementation under local law.
The issue has become increasingly important as Sri Lanka seeks to strengthen its position as a regional maritime hub centred around the Port of Colombo and other emerging port infrastructure projects.
Industry observers note that Sri Lanka’s principal shipping legislation, the Merchant Shipping Act No. 52 of 1971, remained largely unchanged for decades despite major developments in international maritime law. Maritime commentators have previously pointed out that the country had accepted more than twenty international maritime conventions while lacking a modern legislative framework capable of fully implementing many of them.
Among the most significant conventions requiring stronger domestic implementation is the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, often described as the “fourth pillar” of international maritime regulation alongside SOLAS, MARPOL, and STCW. The convention establishes global standards governing seafarers’ working conditions, accommodation, health protection, welfare, and employment rights. Although Sri Lanka has taken steps toward compliance, legal experts have highlighted the need for comprehensive regulations and enforcement mechanisms to fully operationalize its provisions.
Another major area concerns the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). Auditor General reports and maritime assessments have identified shortcomings in monitoring, enforcement, pollution-response preparedness, and implementation of several MARPOL requirements. Given Sri Lanka’s location along one of the world’s busiest shipping routes, environmental compliance remains a critical issue.
The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), regarded as the world’s most important maritime safety treaty, has also required continuous legislative updates to align local law with evolving international standards governing vessel construction, navigation safety, fire protection systems, and lifesaving equipment.
Similarly, the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Convention requires ongoing regulatory reforms to ensure Sri Lankan maritime education and certification systems remain internationally recognized.
Legal experts have also raised concerns regarding the implementation of several maritime liability and compensation conventions, including frameworks governing oil pollution damage, bunker fuel pollution liability, and compensation mechanisms following maritime accidents. Without comprehensive domestic legislation, the enforcement of liability provisions and compensation claims can become more complex following major maritime incidents.
Recent maritime disasters in regional waters have further intensified calls for Sri Lanka to adopt and fully implement modern conventions such as the Ballast Water Management Convention and the Nairobi International Convention on the Removal of Wrecks, both of which play important roles in environmental protection and maritime casualty response.
Key Disadvantages to Sri Lanka of Not Enacting International Maritime Conventions into Domestic Law
- Loss of maritime investment and foreign investor confidence.
- Reduced competitiveness of the Port of Colombo against regional hubs.
- Increased inspections and delays for Sri Lankan-flagged vessels.
- Difficulty recovering compensation after maritime accidents and pollution incidents.
- Weaker environmental protection and marine pollution controls.
- Greater risk of costly environmental disasters.
- Reduced legal protections for Sri Lankan seafarers.
- Higher legal uncertainty in shipping and maritime disputes.
- Potential increase in maritime insurance and compliance costs.
- Negative impact on Sri Lanka’s international maritime reputation.
- Risk of adverse findings during International Maritime Organization (IMO) audits.
- Missed opportunities to develop Sri Lanka as a regional maritime and logistics hub.
- Limited ability to enforce international maritime standards domestically.
- Slower and less effective response to future shipping emergencies and wreck removals.
- Potential loss of shipping, logistics, and maritime services business to competing countries.
The debate over maritime law reform gained momentum following amendments introduced to the Merchant Shipping Act in recent years. While industry stakeholders welcomed these reforms, many argue that further legislative modernization is necessary to bring Sri Lanka fully in line with contemporary international maritime standards.
Maritime analysts warn that incomplete implementation of international conventions can affect Sri Lanka’s reputation as a shipping destination, influence port state control assessments, impact investor confidence, and limit the country’s ability to respond effectively to environmental and maritime emergencies.
As Sri Lanka seeks to expand its maritime economy and strengthen its role as a logistics and transshipment hub in the Indian Ocean, experts say a comprehensive overhaul of maritime legislation may be essential to ensure that international commitments are fully reflected in domestic law and regulatory practice.
The issue is expected to remain a key area of focus for policymakers, maritime regulators, shipping companies, and international partners as Sri Lanka continues its efforts to modernize its maritime governance framework and enhance its competitiveness within the global shipping industry.
