The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025

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In August 2025, the Indian Parliament passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, a landmark piece of legislation that repeals and replaces the archaic Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act of 1925. The new law modernizes regulations governing maritime transport, aligns India’s legal framework with international conventions, and is designed to boost trade and the country’s “blue economy”. The President of India gave her assent to the bill on August 8, 2025.

Key aspects of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025

• Modernization and alignment: The new bill replaces the century-old Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. It aligns India’s maritime laws with international standards, specifically the Hague-Visby Rules, and moves away from colonial-era legislation.
• Simplified legal framework: It aims to simplify laws related to maritime trade, reduce ambiguity, and cut down on litigation.
• Clearer responsibilities: The bill establishes clear and updated allocation of liabilities and responsibilities for both carriers and shippers.
• Increased efficiency: It is expected to enhance transparency and commercial efficiency in the sea cargo movement process.
• Regulatory flexibility: The legislation includes provisions for the central government to issue directions and adapt rules as needed, allowing for regulatory flexibility.

Broader context of maritime reforms

• The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill is one of several key pieces of legislation passed in 2025 to reform India’s maritime sector.
• Other bills include the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, which replaces the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, with a more streamlined and modern framework.
• The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 was passed to replace a 1908 law and provide greater power to state maritime boards for managing smaller ports.
• The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 introduces a simplified licensing system for coastal shipping.