Parliament Passes Landmark Bills of Lading 2025, Modernizing Maritime Law

Parliament Passes Landmark Bills of Lading 2025, Modernizing Maritime Law

Emilia Jackson 23-Jul-2025

New legislation replaces 169-year-old colonial-era act, aiming to streamline shipping documentation and align India with global trade standards.

In a significant stride towards modernizing India's maritime legal framework, the Indian Parliament on Monday passed the Bills of Lading, 2025, marking the end of a 169-year-old colonial legacy. The Rajya Sabha cleared the crucial legislation on the inaugural day of the Monsoon Session, following its passage in the Lok Sabha in March 2025. The bill now awaits Presidential assent to be enacted into law.

The Bills of Lading, 2025, is designed to simplify maritime shipping documentation, enhance transparency, and improve efficiency, bringing India's trade practices in line with international norms. The legislation replaces the antiquated Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, a relic from the British colonial era. A bill of lading, a fundamental document in freight transport, details the type, quantity, condition, and destination of goods being carried, serving as a contract between the shipper and the carrier.

The new legislation introduces modern, business-friendly terminology and clarifies the rights and obligations of carriers, shippers, and lawful holders. Its core objectives include reducing ambiguity in shipping documentation, minimizing litigation risks, and strengthening India's standing in global trade by adopting internationally recognized standards. Furthermore, the bill features simplified legal language and a restructured approach to complex provisions. It includes an enabling clause that empowers the Central Government to issue directives for effective implementation, ensuring smooth transition and compliance. A standard repeal and saving clause has also been incorporated to validate all past actions under the old Act, thereby ensuring legal continuity.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, who tabled the bill, underscored its importance as a pivotal step in India's broader mission to achieve "Viksit Bharat" by 2047. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Minister Sonowal emphasized, "This vision is not merely aspirational; it is a call to action, urging us to align our efforts and aspirations with the promise of a new and prosperous Bharat." He highlighted the government's commitment to overhauling outdated legal structures and aligning them with contemporary global practices.

Minister Sonowal passionately articulated the symbolic significance of the bill's passage, describing it as a decisive break from colonial legacies. "As we reflect on the 76th year since the adoption of the Indian Constitution, it is the perfect moment to cast aside the remnants of colonial and pre-constitutional legacies that hinder our progress," he stated, reinforcing the government's resolve to forge a legal system reflective of India's constitutional values and economic aspirations.

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