Parliament Approves Five Important Maritime Laws to Enhance Blue Economy

The recent legislation includes the Bills of Lading 2025, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025, the Coastal Shipping Bill 2025, the Merchant Shipping Bill 2025, and the Indian Ports Bill 2025.

The Bills of Lading, 2025, aims to streamline legal paperwork to minimize conflicts and enhance the ease of conducting business.

The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, superseded a 1925 Act, implementing Hague-Visby Rules to minimize litigation and enhance global connections.

The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025, aims to restore India’s 6% modal share, resulting in an annual savings of approximately Rs 10,000 crore in logistics expenses, while also decreasing pollution and road traffic.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, revised an obsolete 1958 law, facilitating swift wreck removal and salvage efforts.

The Indian Ports Bill of 2025 replaced a 1908 legislation, established a Maritime State Development Council for enhanced national planning, empowered state maritime boards to oversee minor ports, and instituted a mechanism for resolving disputes at the state level.

Difficulties

Infrastructure Deficiencies: Insufficient port facilities and aging infrastructure at certain ports, constraining capacity and efficiency.

Congestion: Elevated traffic levels at key ports resulting in delays, longer turnaround times, and decreased efficiency.

Environmental Issues: Pollution and sustainability challenges, encompassing emissions from vessels and harbor activities.

Logistics Delays: Ineffective transportation links among ports, roads, and railways, affecting seamless cargo flow.

International Rivalry: Increasing competition from other global seaports requires ongoing investment and upgrades.

The latest laws consist of the Bills of Lading 2025, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill 2025, the Coastal Shipping Bill 2025, the Merchant Shipping Bill 2025, and the Indian Ports Bill 2025.

The Bills of Lading, 2025, seeks to simplify legal documentation to reduce disputes and improve the convenience of doing business.

The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, replaces a 1925 Act, enacting Hague-Visby Rules to reduce disputes and improve international ties.

The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025, seeks to regain India’s 6% modal share, leading to yearly savings of around Rs 10,000 crore in logistics costs, in addition to reducing pollution and traffic on roads.

The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, updated an outdated 1958 statute, enabling prompt wreck recovery and salvage operations.

The Indian Ports Bill of 2025 superseded a 1908 law, created a Maritime State Development Council for improved national planning, enabled state maritime boards to manage minor ports, and established a system for resolving disputes locally.

Challenges

Infrastructure Shortcomings: Inadequate port facilities and deteriorating infrastructure at select ports, limiting capacity and effectiveness.

Congestion: Increased traffic at major ports causing delays, extended turnaround times, and reduced efficiency.

Environmental Concerns: Challenges of sustainability and pollution, including emissions from ships and port operations.

Logistics Holdups: Inefficient connections between ports, highways, and rail systems, impacting smooth movement of goods.

Global Competition: Rising challenges from other international ports demand constant investment and improvements.