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Rajya Sabha Passes Key Maritime Bills, Modernizes Shipping Laws

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Business Honor - Rajya Sabha Maritime Bills Passed

Business Honor
07 August, 2025

The Rajya Sabha passed key maritime bills, modernizing laws and aligning with international standards.

The Rajya Sabha approved the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 on August 6, 2025, a major legal reform for India's maritime industry. The bill replaces the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925, and incorporates the globally accepted Hague-Visby Rules, bringing India's shipping law at par with international maritime norms. Despite opposition protests against Bihar's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, the bill was approved by voice vote after the House resumed after it was adjourned. The bill aims to facilitate seaborne trade, reduce litigation, and promote transparency in sea-borne movement of cargo. It will likely simplify cumbersome legal processes, promoting commercial efficiency and enhancing India's presence in international seaborne trade.

While this, the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 was sanctioned by the Lok Sabha, introducing new legal provisions that replace the outdated Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal referred to the legislation as a significant step for aligning India's maritime legislation with international treaties, enhancing safety standards, and for ushering in sustainability within the shipping industry. The bill reduces compliance burdens and improves the welfare of seafarers while addressing environmental concerns.

Together, these changes are also part of the Indian government's general push to modernize maritime legal systems so that India becomes an internationally recognized maritime jurisdiction. Through harmonization of India's shipping laws at the international level, the country aims to increase investment, innovation, and growth in the sector. They are important acts of parliament that are going to impact India's maritime administration as well as its commerce and trade with the global shipping community, to create a more secure and efficient maritime trading system.