Parliament has passed The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, replacing the century-old Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. The Rajya Sabha approved the legislation by voice vote despite opposition protests over the Special Intensive Revision issue. The Bill had already been cleared by the Lok Sabha and will now be sent to the President for assent.
Moved by Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Shantanu Thakur, the new law updates the legal framework governing the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities related to goods transported from Indian ports to domestic or international destinations. It aligns with the Hague Rules of 1924 and subsequent amendments, ensuring conformity with international maritime standards.
The legislation simplifies legal language to make it more accessible to exporters, importers, and shipping professionals. While retaining the core legal principles, it adopts modern drafting practices to reduce ambiguity and litigation risks. The Bill also empowers the government to respond swiftly to changes in global maritime conventions and introduces parliamentary oversight for executive notifications, enhancing transparency and accountability.
On July 21, Parliament had also passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, which replaces the colonial-era Indian Bill of Lading Act, 1856. The new framework offers a comprehensive and user-friendly approach to shipping documentation, addressing the limitations of the outdated three-section British law. With the evolving nature of global trade and shipping, the updated legislation positions India to better navigate contemporary maritime challenges.
