Senators have passed a Bill that puts Bermuda's merchant shipping legislation in line with maritime laws in the UK.

The Merchant Shipping Amendment Act 2009, introduced by Sen. Marc Bean, passed without debate, save for support from Opposition Sen. Michael Fahy and Independent Sen. Walwyn Hughes.

Sen. Bean described the Bill, which makes amendments to the Merchant Shipping Act 2002, as "housekeeping" in accordance with a request from the UK Department of Transport.

The Bill further protects Bermuda and its waters from oil spills by giving insurers the same right to limit their liability as the registered owner of a ship.

Sen. Fahy spoke in favour of the amendments, saying: "You're not going to hear any arguments on this side."

Sen. Hughes described the Bill as crucial in the event of an oil spill in Bermuda's waters. "If we were to have one we'd want our house to be in order," he said.