NEW DELHI, Aug 6: Two bills aimed at streamlining maritime governance with a modern and internationally compliant approach were given approval on a single day on Wednesday in both Houses of Parliament, amid continued protests by the Opposition.
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 the din.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said it was a historic day as the parliament passed two important legislations — the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and the Carriage of Goods Sea Bill, 2025 — effectively endorsing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to modernise India’s maritime sector, both policy and action wise.
“With the passage of the bills, the Modi government’s push for India’s modern shipping gets double endorsement from the Parliament,” he said.
It was for the first time that the Ministry got parliamentary approval of two bills on the same day.
The bills will pave the way for a modern, efficient and globally aligned maritime policy framework in India, Sonowal said.
The landmark legislations designed to promote ease of doing business and make India’s shipping sector future-ready, he said.
The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 is a progressive, future-ready legislation that replaces the outdated Merchant Shipping Act of 1958. The 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.
The Bill is a part of a series of major legal reforms undertaken over the past 11 years under the leadership of PM Modi, aimed at enabling robust growth in the shipping and maritime sectors.
On the other hand, in the Rajya Sabha, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, was passed that repealed a century-old Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925, culminating the parliamentary process as it was already passed by the Lok Sabha.
The new legislation is part of the government’s broader effort to modernise India’s legal framework by eliminating outdated colonial-era laws and aligning with global best practices to improve ease of doing business. (PTI)
