412. Power to fix shipping rates.- (1) The Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, fix in the prescribed manner the rates at which any Indian ship may be hired and the rates which may be charged for the carriage of passengers or cargo by any ship engaged in the coasting trade of India. (2) If the Central Government considers that with a view to enabling it to fix the rates under sub-section (1) it is necessary or expedient so to do, it may constitute a Board in the prescribed manner for the purpose of advising it; and such Board may be constituted either generally or for a particular case or route or in respect of rates for the carriage of passengers or cargo or both. (3) Where an order fixing the rates to be charged for hire or for the carriage of passengers or cargo has been published under sub-section (1), no owner, master or agent of a ship shall charge rates exceeding the rates so fixed. | 
