Merchant Shipping Bill will positively impact maritime sector in Mangaluru : Capt. Chowta
MANGALURU : Capt. Brijesh Chowta, MP for Dakshina Kannada, on Wednesday, said the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, will have a positive impact on the maritime sector in general and on that of Mangaluru in particular.
Extending support to the Bill at the Lok Sabha during a debate, Capt. Chowta said the Bill will increase cargo at New Mangalore Port, which handled 46.01 million tonnes in 2024-25. It will attract new investments in shipping, improve welfare for thousands of local seafarers, and strengthen institutions like Mangalore Marine College and Technology, creating high-quality maritime professionals for India’s growing blue economy.
The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 — a progressive, future-ready legislation that replaces the outdated Merchant Shipping Act of 1958. The Bill marks a significant step towards aligning India’s maritime legal framework with global standards and strengthening the country’s position as a trusted maritime trade hub.
Introducing the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 in the Lok Sabha, the Union Minister, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “This Bill represents a decisive step towards positioning India as a global leader in maritime trade and governance. It is a progressive and advanced legislation, up to date with international maritime conventions and informed by the best practices of leading maritime nations.”
The Bill is part of a series of major legal reforms undertaken over the past 11 years under the leadership of PM Shri Narendra Modi, aimed at enabling robust growth in the shipping and maritime sectors. These reforms have significantly enhanced efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness. Highlighting the need for an updated framework, the Minister noted that the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 had become bulky, fragmented, and outdated with 561 sections, failing to address contemporary maritime challenges or fully implement India’s obligations under several key International Maritime Organization (IMO) conventions.