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- Repeal of Outdated Law: Eliminates colonial-era maritime legislation.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.
