The Parliament on Wednesday passed two landmark maritime bills in what is seen as a historic development for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
The two bills aim to streamline maritime governance with a modern and internationally compliant approach.
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While the Rajya Sabha passed a century-old colonial-era 'Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025', the Lok Sabha approved the 'Merchant Shipping Bill 2024' amid Opposition protests and sloganeering in the Rajya Sabha over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) issue.
"With the passage of the bills, the Modi government's push for India's modern shipping gets double endorsement from the Parliament, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said.
This is the first time that the Ministry has received two parliamentary approvals in a single day.
Merchant Shipping Bill 2024
The Merchant Shipping Bill 2024 is a progressive, future-ready legislation that replaces the outdated Merchant Shipping Act of 1958. The passage of this bill marks a significant step towards aligning India's maritime legal framework with global standards and strengthening the country's position as a trusted maritime trade hub.
"It is a progressive and advanced legislation, up to date with international maritime conventions and informed by the best practices of leading maritime nations, Sonowal said.
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Highlighting the need for an updated framework, Sonowal noted that the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 had become bulky, fragmented, and outdated. Despite having 561 sections, it often failed to address contemporary maritime challenges or fully implement India's obligations under several key International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions.
"The Merchant Shipping Bill 2024, with 16 parts and 325 clauses, modernises India's maritime legal framework by aligning 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 make India a globally respected maritime jurisdiction and unlock sustainable growth, investment, and innovation in the sector," he added.
Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025
On the other hand, in the Rajya Sabha, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025 was passed, taking over from the century-old Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act 1925.
This new legislation is another part of the government's broader effort to modernise India's legal framework by eliminating outdated colonial-era laws and aligning with global standards to improve ease of doing business.
The bill adopts the Hague-Visby Rules, a globally accepted maritime standard also followed by countries like the United Kingdom. By replacing complexity with clarity, the legislation is expected to simplify maritime trade laws, reduce litigation risks, and enhance transparency and commercial efficiency in cargo movement by sea.
It was introduced by Shantanu Thakur, Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) in the Rajya Sabha.
"This bill is not merely a statutory reform, it reflects a broader philosophy of governance led by Prime Minister Modi to replace complexity with clarity, outdated norms with modern standards, and colonial remnants with forward-looking laws that serve the interests of a resurgent India, he said.
The bill is yet another key step in making India's maritime trade laws future-ready and compatible with international trade agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the UK.
The legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha on March 28 this year. During the Rajya Sabha discussion, members had raised issues including maritime security and smuggling risks, which the government assured were being addressed through statutory and operational safeguards, a PTI report said.