Why in NEWS
The Parliament passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, and Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025, aiming to modernise India’s maritime legal framework by replacing outdated colonial-era laws.
Key Concepts & Terms
| Term | Definition | Example / Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cabotage | Transport of goods between two places in the same country by a foreign vessel | Coastal Shipping Bill aligns India with global cabotage norms |
| Hague-Visby Rules (1924) | International rules governing sea carriage of goods, defining rights and liabilities of carriers and shippers | Adopted under Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 |
| Bill of Lading | Legal shipping document detailing goods’ type, quantity, and destination | Now regulated for transparency under the new law |
| Seafarer Welfare | Measures ensuring safety, rights, and working conditions of ship crew | Strengthened under Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 |
| MAITRI Platform | Digital interface for international trade and regulatory processes | Government initiative to improve maritime trade efficiency |
Key Provisions of the Maritime Bills 2025
| Bill | Key Features | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 | Replaces Part XIV of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958; simplifies licensing; regulates foreign vessels; mandates National Coastal & Inland Shipping Strategic Plan and Database | Raise coastal cargo to 230 MT by 2030, reduce foreign dependence, boost jobs and investor confidence |
| Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 | Replaces Merchant Shipping Act, 1958; aligns with IMO conventions; empowers government to detain vessels without nationality | Enhance sea safety, environmental protection, seafarer welfare, and maritime security |
| Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 | Replaces Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925; adopts Hague-Visby Rules; regulates Bills of Lading | Standardises global trade practices, improves shipping efficiency and transparency |
State of India’s Maritime Sector
| Area | Current Status |
|---|---|
| Trade Share | 95% of trade by volume and 70% by value handled by sea |
| Port Infrastructure | 12 major and 200+ minor ports; major ports’ capacity grew 87% (2014–24) to 1,629.86 MT |
| Cargo Handled | 819.22 MT handled at major ports in FY24 |
| Fleet Strength | 1,530 registered ships |
| Global Standing | 16th largest maritime nation; 38th in Logistics Performance Index (2023); 3rd largest ship recycler with 30% share, led by Alang |
| Policy Push | New Shipbuilding & Repair Policy, 100% FDI in port construction, tax holidays, and infrastructure upgrades |
Government Initiatives in Maritime Sector
| Initiative | Objective |
|---|---|
| One Nation-One Port Process (ONOP) | Streamline port operations |
| Sagar Ankalan – LPPI 2023-24 | Assess logistics performance of ports |
| Bharat Global Ports Consortium | Global collaboration for port growth |
| MAITRI Platform | Digital interface for trade and regulations |
| NCoEGPS | Research hub for green shipping |
| Maritime India Vision 2030 | Roadmap for sectoral growth |
| Green Tug Transition Program (GTTP) | Promote green shipping practices |
In a nutshell
India’s new maritime bills replace colonial-era laws, align the sector with global standards, and promote safety, transparency, and growth. With 95% of trade volume dependent on sea routes, modernisation of maritime laws is key to boosting India’s global shipping competitiveness.
Prelims Questions
- The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 aligns India’s laws with which international convention?
a) Rotterdam Rules
b) Hague-Visby Rules
c) Hamburg Rules
d) Manila Amendments - Which of the following is NOT a provision of the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025?
a) National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan
b) Regulation of Bills of Lading
c) Creation of National Database for infrastructure planning
d) Simplified licensing for coastal vessels - India’s largest ship-breaking yard is located at:
a) Kochi
b) Kandla
c) Alang
d) Paradip
Mains Questions
- Discuss the significance of the recently passed maritime bills in strengthening India’s maritime security and trade competitiveness. 10 Marks
- Evaluate the challenges and opportunities in India’s maritime sector in light of the Maritime India Vision 2030. 10 Marks
Prelims Answers & Explanations
| Q.No | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | b) Hague-Visby Rules | Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill adopts these rules for global standardisation of sea trade. |
| 2 | b) Regulation of Bills of Lading | This is covered under Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, not the Coastal Shipping Bill. |
| 3 | c) Alang | Alang in Gujarat is the world’s largest ship-breaking yard, contributing to India’s 30% global recycling share. |
