Parliament has passed two important maritime legislations — the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 — aiming to upgrade India’s shipping laws and align them with global maritime standards.
Background and Context
- India’s previous maritime laws were decades old, such as:
- Merchant Shipping Act, 1958
- Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925
- These laws were outdated and needed reforms to suit modern shipping practices and international conventions.
Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024
- Replaces the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
- Described as future-ready and progressive.
Aims to:
- Promote ease of doing business in shipping.
- Attract global maritime trade and investment.
- Improve India’s status as a reliable shipping hub.
Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025
- Repeals the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.
- Focuses on: Simplifying laws for cargo transport by sea. Reducing legal disputes and uncertainties in shipping. Enhancing transparency and efficiency in maritime logistics.
- Brings Indian law in line with international standards such as: Hague-Visby Rules, Hamburg Rules
Significance of the Legislation
- Strengthens India’s maritime legal framework.
- Supports the government’s vision for a modern and efficient shipping sector.
- Encourages cleaner trade practices and boosts global investor confidence.
- Reduces the risk of legal conflicts in cargo handling and maritime commerce
Conclusion:
These maritime laws mark a major reform in India’s shipping sector, supporting global integration and improving legal clarity in sea trade operations.
