Parliament passes Bills of Lading 2025 to modernise maritime trade laws

Parliament passed the Bills of Lading, 2025 on the opening day of the Monsoon Session, replacing the colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856 after 169 years.

With the Rajya Sabha clearing the legislation on July 21 (Monday)—following its passage in the Lok Sabha in March—the bill now awaits Presidential assent to become law.

Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, who tabled the bill in the Upper House, called it a "watershed moment" for Indian shipping. “This reform reflects our constitutional values and replaces outdated colonial laws with a modern, accessible framework,” he said, adding that the law is in step with the Prime Minister’s vision of transforming India into Viksit Bharat by 2047.

The new legislation aims to streamline and modernise the use of bills of lading—a critical document in global shipping—by replacing archaic terminology with clear, business-friendly language. It redefines the rights and responsibilities of carriers, shippers, and lawful holders, thereby reducing ambiguity and lowering the risk of legal disputes.

“Swarnim Bharat needs statutes that are contemporary, crafted by our own people, and capable of addressing the challenges of the modern era,” Sonowal said during the session. “As the saying goes—‘Whoever rules the waves, rules the world’—it’s time India leads from the front.”

The bill introduces provisions to align India’s maritime laws with international norms, thereby improving the country’s global trade competitiveness. It also includes an enabling clause to empower the central government to issue directions for effective implementation and features a repeal and saving clause to maintain the continuity of actions taken under the old Act.

With this reform, the government seeks to boost ease of doing business (EoDB) in the maritime sector and strengthen India's position as a global trade hub.