The Parliament of India has recently passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, as a significant step towards modernizing the country’s maritime trade laws. This move aims to enhance the ease of doing business and streamline shipping trade regulations.
Key Features of the New Bill
- Responsibilities and Liabilities: The Bill outlines clear responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities for goods transported from Indian ports.
- Central Government Empowerment: The central government is now empowered to issue directives for implementing the Bill’s provisions and amend rules applicable to bills of lading.
Promoting Ease of Doing Business
- Simplification of Laws: The Bill aims to simplify and rationalize maritime trade laws to enhance the ease of doing business.
- Modern Legal Framework: It replaces outdated provisions with a modern legal framework suitable for the current trade environment.
Economic Impact and Sector Growth
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has made significant progress in the maritime sector. The cargo handling capacity of major ports has more than doubled from 819 million tonnes in 2014-15 to over 1,600 million tonnes in 2024. Reforms like the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, are expected to strengthen India’s shipping industry and drive economic growth.
Why This Matters
- Reduced Disputes: The new Bill is anticipated to reduce disputes over shipping contracts.
- Enhanced Legal Certainty: It will provide greater legal certainty for both domestic and international trade.
- Increased Investment: The updated laws are likely to attract more investment into India’s maritime infrastructure.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- India’s Parliament passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, to modernize maritime trade laws.
- The Bill aims to promote ease of doing business and align India’s shipping regulations with global practices.
- This reform reflects India’s commitment to updating trade laws and attracting investment into the maritime sector.
