Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025

Syllabus: Economy – Infrastructure (Ports & Shipping), Governance (UPSC Prelims)
Source: Live Mint

Context:

Parliament has passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, replacing the nearly century-old Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 to modernise maritime trade law.

Overview

• Purpose: Updates India’s maritime shipping laws to match international standards and improve ease of doing business.
• Replaces: Colonial-era 1925 Act.
• Key Aim: Align with Hague–Visby Rules, ensure clarity in shipping contracts, and strengthen India’s position as a maritime trade hub.

Objectives

• Modernise and simplify legal provisions.
• Remove ambiguities to reduce disputes.
• Adopt international best practices.
• Enable India to quickly adopt future global maritime conventions.

Key Features

• Repeal of Outdated Law: Eliminates colonial-era maritime legislation.
• Global Alignment: Adopts Hague–Visby Rules for bills of lading and cargo liability.
• Clear Carrier Liabilities: Codifies responsibilities, rights, and immunities of carriers.
• Government Empowerment: Centre can adopt new maritime conventions via notifications.
• Ease of Doing Business: Reduces legal complexity, promotes faster contract execution.
• Parliamentary Oversight: Ensures accountability in adopting international rules.
• Future-Ready Framework: Supports adaptation to global shipping trends.

About Hague–Visby Rules

• International rules for the carriage of goods by sea.
• Origin: 1924 Hague Rules; updated by Visby Protocol (1968) and SDR Protocol (1979).
• Focus: Standardise bills of lading, carrier liabilities, and cargo claims globally.