Merchant Shipping Act (with its variations) is a stock short title used in Malaysia and the United Kingdom for legislation relating to merchant shipping.

Merchant shipping acts and regulations also exist as well in other countries, and they are sometimes referred to as "Merchant Shipping Act" such as in Malta, India, Singapore, Kenya and South Africa.

Each country has its specific rules regarding merchant shipping.

Laws it repealed included: The Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act 1900 (63 & 64 Vict.

The section on liability of shipowners was superseded by the Merchant Shipping (Liability of Shipowners and Others) Act 1958, but the other sections remain in force.