India’s 2025 Maritime Bills: A New Era for Ports, Shipping, and Seafarer Welfare

India’s 2025 Maritime Bills: A New Era for Ports, Shipping, and Seafarer Welfare

India’s maritime sector is entering a landmark phase of modernization with the introduction of the 2025 Maritime Bills. These reforms replace several outdated laws—many dating back to the pre-independence era—with a modern legal framework aligned with global maritime standards. The objective is clear: strengthen port governance, improve shipping efficiency, promote environmental protection, enhance seafarer welfare, and boost India’s position in global trade.

With more than 90% of India’s trade volume moving by sea, these reforms play a crucial role in shaping the nation’s economic future.

Why the Reforms Were Needed

India’s maritime laws previously relied on century-old legislations such as:

• Indian Ports Act, 1908

• Bills of Lading Act, 1856

• Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925

• Merchant Shipping Act, 1958

These acts were written for a different era—before containerization, digital documentation, environmental regulations, and complex global shipping networks.

The 2025 Maritime Bills address these gaps and bring India’s maritime framework in line with modern logistics, international IMO conventions, global environmental norms, and digital standards.

Key Reforms Introduced Under the 2025 Maritime Bills

1. Bills of Lading Bill, 2025

Replaces: Bills of Lading Act, 1856The earlier law had only three sections and did not cover modern trade documentation or digital processes.The new Bill:

• Recognizes electronic bills of lading (e-B/Ls)

• Clarifies rights and liabilities during transfer of shipping documents

• Reduces scope for litigation and fraud

• Uses clearer and business-friendly language

This modern approach supports smoother trade operations and reduces delays caused by lost or mismanaged documents.

2. Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025

Replaces: Act of 1925, which was based on outdated Hague Rules.The new Bill:

• Aligns Indian law with Hague-Visby and Hamburg Rules

• Defines clear responsibilities for carriers and shippers

• Updates liability limits for loss or damage to cargo

• Recognizes digital documents and bills of lading

• Supports dispute resolution via Indian courts or arbitration

This ensures better protection for businesses involved in import-export supply chains.

3. Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025

This Bill extracts and updates coastal shipping regulations previously buried inside the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.Key features:

• Simplifies coastal shipping licenses for Indian-flagged ships

• Encourages Indian ownership of coastal vessels

• Establishes a National Coastal & Inland Shipping Strategic Plan

• Promotes domestic shipbuilding and maritime employment

This Bill supports India's push towards reducing logistics cost, promoting coastal cargo movement, and strengthening India’s maritime self-reliance.

4. Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025

Replaces: Merchant Shipping Act, 1958The Bill focuses on:

• Aligning with IMO conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, Ballast Water, Wreck Removal, etc.)

• Strengthening seafarer welfare, safety standards, and working conditions

• Improving the investigation of marine accidents

• Enhancing registration and compliance processes for ships

This Bill ensures India operates ships that are safe, globally compliant, and environmentally responsible.

5. Indian Ports Bill, 2025

Replaces: Indian Ports Act, 1908This Bill transforms how ports are planned, managed, and regulated.

Key reforms include:

• Establishing the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) for coordinated national planning

• Empowering State Maritime Boards (SMBs) to govern non-major ports

• Digitizing port processes and publishing transparent tariff structures

• Mandating pollution control and disaster response plans

• Creating Dispute Resolution Committees for faster conflict settlement

This Bill promotes cooperative federalism, reducing bureaucratic overlap and accelerating port development.

Impact of the Maritime Bills on India’s Trade and Economy

1. Lower Logistics Costs

Digitization, transparent tariffs, and streamlined port procedures reduce delays and make exports more competitive.

2. Stronger Coastal and Domestic Shipping

Encouraging Indian-flagged ships helps reduce over-dependence on foreign tonnage.

3. Improved Environmental Protection

Ports and ships will follow global norms for ballast water treatment, emission control, waste handling, and oil spill response.

4. Better Seafarer Welfare

Updated rules protect Indian seafarers’ rights, improve onboard working conditions, and enhance safety.

5. Growth of Port Infrastructure

State Maritime Boards ensure development is balanced, sustainable, and industry-friendly across coastal regions.

Challenges Ahead

While the legal framework is strong, implementation will determine success. Key challenges include:

• Training and upgrading smaller ports for compliance

• Ensuring pollution control and safety audits are enforced strictly

• Supporting smaller shipowners and coastal operators during transition

• Avoiding regulatory overlap between states and central agencies

Government, industry, and maritime training institutions must work together to ensure capacity building and efficient execution.

Conclusion

The 2025 Maritime Bills represent one of the most significant overhauls in India’s maritime legal structure in over a century. By replacing colonial-era laws, simplifying regulations, promoting coastal shipping, strengthening port governance, and aligning with global standards, these bills aim to position India as a competitive maritime power in the 21st century.

If implemented effectively, these reforms will reduce logistics costs, increase trade efficiency, boost seafarer welfare, expand domestic shipping capabilities, and support sustainable maritime growth.

India is not just updating its laws—it is reshaping its maritime future.