Parliament Passes Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 to Modernize Maritime Trade Laws

In a landmark move to overhaul century-old maritime legislation, the Parliament has officially passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025, with the Rajya Sabha approving the bill today following its earlier clearance in the Lok Sabha. The new legislation aims to replace the outdated Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1925, bringing India’s maritime laws in line with international best practices and boosting ease of doing business in the shipping sector.

The Bill lays down the responsibilities, rights, liabilities, and immunities related to the carriage of goods by sea from Indian ports. It gives the central government the authority to issue directions to ensure effective implementation and also to amend the schedule that outlines rules concerning bills of lading—key documents in sea trade that specify the nature, quantity, and destination of goods being transported.

Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025

During the parliamentary debate, Minister of State for Shipping and Waterways, Shantanu Thakur, emphasized that the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025 is designed to replace legislation that has remained largely unchanged for nearly 100 years. Thakur asserted that the modernized framework will simplify regulatory procedures, reduce compliance burdens, and foster a business-friendly environment for domestic and international shipping firms.

The minister added that this legislative reform aligns with the government’s broader vision to streamline maritime governance and facilitate smooth trade operations.

India’s maritime sector sees major transformation

Participating in the debate, BJP MP Sanjay Seth highlighted the unprecedented growth in India’s port infrastructure over the last decade under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He pointed out that the cargo handling capacity of major Indian ports has nearly doubled—from 819 million tonnes in 2014–15 to over 1600 million tonnes in 2024.

Rajiv Bhattacharjee of the BJP also praised the bill, calling it a major step towards making India the third-largest global economy. He said that reforms like these would significantly contribute to strengthening India’s economic base through improved trade logistics.

G. K. Vasan of the TMC (M) lent his support to the Bill, stating that India’s economic progress is being fueled by continuous development in the shipping and port sectors. He also noted that the country currently has 12 major ports and over 100 smaller ports actively supporting trade and logistics.

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