Parliament passes The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025, modernizing India’s maritime cargo law in alignment with international standards.

The Indian Parliament has officially passed The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, which aims to replace the nearly century-old Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. This legislative overhaul is designed to bring India’s maritime legal framework in line with contemporary global practices and conventions such as the Hague-Visby Rules, thereby enhancing the efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the carriage of goods by sea.

The Bill establishes detailed provisions regarding the rights and responsibilities of carriers and shippers, liability for loss or damage, and time limitations for claims. It introduces modern definitions, clarifies the scope of application, and incorporates provisions concerning electronic documentation to support the growing digitization of global trade.

The law also marks a significant move toward India's commitment to reforming maritime transport policies and promoting ease of doing business, especially for exporters, importers, and shipping companies. This move is expected to provide a more predictable legal environment for stakeholders involved in sea transport, aligning India’s shipping legislation with international trade standards and boosting investor confidence in the sector.

Legal experts and maritime professionals have welcomed the change, noting that the modernization of the law was long overdue. The new legislation is also seen as a step toward strengthening India’s shipping industry in line with global maritime st

andards.