LS passes Carriage of Goods By Sea Bill

The Lok Sabha has passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill,2024. The Bill seeks to replace the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.  The Bill empowers the central government to issue directions for carrying out provisions of the Bill and amend the schedule specifying rules applicable to bills of lading.   

Replying to a debate on the bill, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that the main objective of the bill is to simplify the language of the provision for the ease of understanding to the extent possible without changing the spirit of the Act.

The Minister said the bill retains the provision that strikes a balance between the rule of the shipper and the carrier. He added that the balance prevents either party from deriving undue advantage and minimizes the potential for dispute. He added that the legislation ensures that carriers fulfill their obligations and exercise due diligence to ensure the safety of the goods entrusted to them. Mr Sonowal said that the purpose of the bill is to position India’s maritime trade practices at par with global standards. He also said that by fostering greater transparency, simplicity and commercial efficiency, the legislation will significantly enhance the functioning of the country’s maritime transport system.

Earlier initiating the discussion, Vijayakumar alias Vijay Vasanth of Congress said that the bill is significant as it aims to align



India’s maritime law with the International standard and addresses the responsibilities, liabilities, rights and immunities related to the carriage of goods by sea. He said the modernization of the law is necessary to keep pace with global trade dynamics. He also raised the issue of a lack of adequate protection for shippers and consignees.

Krishna Prasad Tenneti of TDP supported the bill and said that the legislation aims at amending age-old rules and is an attempt to align Indian regulations with international standards and ease operations. He said this legislation ensures that we adapt to the evolving maritime trade. He also said that it is important to recognize how far India’s maritime sector has progressed under the Narendra Modi government. He said that over the past decade, the Sagarmala program has been a game changer, driving port led development, reducing logistic costs and boosting coastal trade.

Dr Nishikant Dubey of the BJP has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking steps to scrap outdated laws. He said that the bill would repeal the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. He said, there is a provision in the bill that Central government has the power to resolve the issue related to minor and major port.

Besides, other members including Pratima Mondal of TMC, Supriya Sule of NCP (SP) and Arvind Sawant of Shiv Sena (UBT) also participated in the discussion.