In a landmark development for India’s maritime sector, Parliament on Monday passed the Bills of Lading, 2025, replacing the 169-year-old colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856. The Rajya Sabha cleared the bill on the first day of the Monsoon Session, following its earlier passage in the Lok Sabha in March 2025. The bill now awaits Presidential assent before becoming law.
Tabled by Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the bill marks a significant step in India’s efforts to overhaul outdated legal frameworks and align them with contemporary global standards. Once enacted, the legislation will simplify maritime shipping documentation in India, making it more transparent, efficient, and in tune with international trade practices.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Minister Sonowal emphasized that the reform is part of the government’s broader mission to build a “Viksit Bharat” by 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “This vision is not merely aspirational; it is a call to action, urging us to align our efforts and aspirations with the promise of a new and prosperous Bharat,” he said.
The Bills of Lading, 2025 introduces modern, business-friendly terminology and streamlines the rights and obligations of carriers, shippers, and lawful holders. It aims to reduce ambiguity in shipping documentation, minimize litigation risks, and strengthen India’s position in global trade by adopting internationally recognized norms.
The new legislation also features simplified legal language and restructures complex provisions. It includes an enabling clause empowering the Central Government to issue directives for effective implementation. A standard repeal and saving clause ensures that all past actions under the old Act remain valid, maintaining legal continuity.
Minister Sonowal described the passage of the bill as a decisive move away from colonial legacies and toward a legal system that reflects India’s constitutional values and current economic aspirations. “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,” he said.
