Did Parliament Achieve a Milestone by Passing Two Landmark Maritime Bills?

New Delhi, Aug 6 (NationPress) The Parliament took a significant step on Wednesday by approving two transformative maritime bills, marking a historic moment for the Shipping Ministry and establishing a framework for a modern, efficient, and globally aligned maritime policy in India.

The Lok Sabha approved The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, which aims to enhance maritime governance through a contemporary and internationally compliant strategy. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha endorsed The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, which replaces a century-old colonial law with updated regulations intended to facilitate ease of doing business and prepare India’s shipping sector for the future.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, expressed: "Today is a historic day for us at the Ministry. The Parliament has not only passed two essential legislations—The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025—but has also endorsed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for modernising India’s maritime sector."

"The passage of these two bills showcases the Modi government’s commitment to transforming India’s shipping landscape," he added.

While introducing The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha, Sonowal noted: "This Bill represents progressive legislation that aligns with international maritime conventions and incorporates best practices from leading maritime nations."

This Bill is part of a series of significant legal reforms initiated over the last 11 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at fostering robust growth in the shipping and maritime sectors. These reforms have considerably improved efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness. Highlighting the necessity for an updated framework, the minister pointed out that the Merchant Shipping Act of 1958 had become cumbersome, fragmented, and obsolete, consisting of 561 sections that failed to tackle contemporary maritime challenges or fully implement India’s obligations under various key International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions.

"The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, consisting of 16 Parts and 325 clauses, modernises India’s maritime legal structure by aligning it with international conventions, enhancing safety at sea, improving emergency response, and ensuring environmental protection. It reduces compliance burdens, promotes Indian tonnage, and prioritises seafarer welfare and ship safety. The Bill aims to position India as a globally respected maritime jurisdiction, unlocking sustainable growth, investment, and innovation in the sector," Sonowal further elaborated.

On the other hand, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, was passed in the Rajya Sabha to repeal the century-old Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1925. This new legislation is part of the government’s broader initiative to modernise India’s legal framework by removing outdated colonial laws and aligning with global best practices to enhance ease of doing business.

The bill adopts the Hague-Visby Rules, a globally accepted maritime standard also embraced by countries such as the UK. By replacing complexity with clarity, the legislation is expected to simplify maritime trade laws, diminish litigation risks, and boost transparency and commercial efficiency in cargo movement by sea. The bill was introduced by Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shantanu Thakur.

"This Bill is not just a statutory reform—it embodies a broader philosophy of governance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to replace complexity with clarity, outdated norms with contemporary standards, and colonial remnants with progressive laws that serve the interests of a resurgent India," he stated.

This legislation is a pivotal step in preparing India’s maritime trade laws for the future and ensuring compatibility with international trade agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the UK.

The Lok Sabha passed the legislation on March 28 this year.

During the discussion in the Rajya Sabha, members raised concerns regarding maritime security and smuggling risks, which the government assured were being addressed through both statutory and operational safeguards.