India's New Maritime Dawn: Parliament Passes Historic Shipping Bills

In an unprecedented move, India's Parliament passed two pivotal maritime bills in a single day, signaling a transformative era for the country's shipping industry. The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to modernize maritime governance with an internationally compliant approach, was approved by the Lok Sabha. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha cleared the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, a legislation replacing a century-old law to enhance the ease of doing business in India's shipping sector.

The new Merchant Shipping Bill replaces the outdated Merchant Shipping Act of 1958, marking a step towards positioning India as a global leader in maritime trade. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the bill's alignment with international maritime conventions and its focus on safety, emergency response, and environmental protection. The updated framework aims to reduce compliance burdens and promote a globally respected maritime jurisdiction.

The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, adopting the globally recognized Hague-Visby Rules, brings clarity and reduces litigation in maritime trade. Union Minister of State Shantanu Thakur highlighted the government's move to eliminate colonial-era legal relics, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to modernize India's legal framework. The bills received broad bipartisan support, with discussions also focusing on maritime security concerns.

(With inputs from agencies.)