In a major development, the Rajya Sabha has passed the ‘Bills of Lading, 2025’ bill on the first day of the monsoon session, paving the way for Presidential assent.
The bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha earlier, will, once enacted, replace the 169-year-old colonial-era Indian Lading Act, 1856, with a modern, simplified, and globally aligned legal framework for maritime shipping documentation in India.
Tabled by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal, at the upper house, said that the passage of the Bills of Lading, 2025 bill marks a watershed moment for India’s maritime sector, the ministry said in a statement.
The minister said that the new law replaces archaic terminology with clear and business-friendly language, streamlining rights and obligations for carriers, shippers and lawful holders, reducing ambiguity in shipping documentation to lower litigation risks as well as strengthening India’s position in global trade by aligning with international norms.
“Today, as we reflect on the 76th year since the adoption of the Indian Constitution, it is the perfect moment to cast aside the remnants of colonial and pre-constitutional legacies that hinder our progress. ‘Swarnim Bharat’ needs a statute that is contemporary, crafted by our people, and capable of addressing the challenges of the modern era,” Sonowal added.
Enabling smooth enforcement
The bill renames the outdated law, symbolizing a decisive move away from India’s colonial past, the minister said, adding that it simplifies legal language, restructures complex provisions, and introduces an enabling clause that empowers the Central Government to issue directions for effective implementation. By incorporating a standard repeal and saving clause, the legislation ensures continuity and legal validity of past actions under the old Act.
These reforms aim to enhance clarity, promote ease of understanding, and enable smoother enforcement in line with contemporary trade and legal standards, enabling Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in India.
“The Bills of Lading, 2025’ bill reflects our constitutional values and marks a vital step in replacing outdated colonial laws with a modern, accessible framework. As our maritime sector expands rapidly, this reform will boost ease of doing business, reduce disputes, and strengthen India’s global trade standing,” Sonowal added.