New Delhi – The Parliament on Wednesday passed The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha approving it by voice vote, even as opposition members created a ruckus over the Special Intensive Revision issue.
The Bill had already received clearance from the Lok Sabha. With both Houses now having passed it, the Bill will be sent to the President for her assent, after which it will become law.
Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, introduced the Bill to replace the century-old Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.
The original Act outlined the rights, responsibilities, liabilities, and immunities of parties involved in shipping goods from Indian ports to both domestic and international destinations. It was in line with the Hague Rules—the 1924 International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading—and its later amendments.
The new Bill modernizes and simplifies the legal language, making it more accessible to stakeholders such as Indian exporters, importers, and maritime professionals. While retaining the core legal principles of the old Act, it aligns the law with current legislative drafting standards, reducing ambiguities and potential legal disputes.
It also empowers the government to respond swiftly to changes in global maritime conventions and enhances transparency and accountability by requiring parliamentary oversight of executive notifications.
Earlier, on July 21, Parliament had also passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, replacing the colonial-era Indian Bill of Lading Act of 1856, which was passed by the Lok Sabha in March. That outdated law consisted of just three sections and mainly dealt with the transfer of rights and confirmation of goods being loaded onto ships.
Given the evolution of the shipping industry and global trade, there was a growing need for a more comprehensive and contemporary legal framework. The newly approved legislation aims to provide just that—making India’s maritime laws more modern, clear, and in sync with international standards.
With inputs from IANS