324. (1) The Government may, on such conditions, not inconsistent with the rules made under section 325, as it may think fit, exempt from the provisions of this Chapter- (a) any ship plying between the near neighbouring ports of two or more countries if the Government and the Governments of those countries are satisfied that the sheltered nature and conditions of the voyages between those ports make it unreasonable or impracticable to apply such provisions to ships so plying; (b) any ship plying between near neighbouring ports of the same country if the Government is satisfied as aforesaid; (c) any Bangladesh ship of less than 150 tons gross, the keel of which was laid before the commencement of this Chapter, or any Bangladesh ship less than 79 feet (24 metres) in length, the keel of which was laid after such commencement; (d) any Bangladesh ship, other than a ship referred to in clause (c), which normally plies between ports within Bangladesh but which is in exceptional circumstances, required to undertake a single voyage between a port in Bangladesh and a port outside Bangladesh; and (e) any Bangladesh ship of not less than 150 tons gross, the keel of which was laid before the commencement of this Chapter, or any Bangladesh ship not less than 79 feet (24 metres) in length, the keel of which was laid after such commencement, if in the opinion of the Government, that ship embodies features such that, if such ship had to comply with all the requirements of this Chapter relating to load lines and the rules made under section 325, the development of these features might be seriously impeded. (2) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section or in the rules made under section 325, the Government may, by order, exempt a ship under 80 tons register engaged solely in the coasting trade or class of any such ships as may be specified in the order from the provision of this Chapter.