Parliament Propels Blue Economy Forward: Five Landmark Maritime Bills Cleared in Monsoon Session 2025
NEW DELHI: In a landmark stride toward bolstering the nation’s blue economy and realising the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, Parliament this Monsoon Session passed five pivotal maritime bills. Spearheaded by Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and Minister of State Shri Shantanu Thakur, this sweeping legislative overhaul aims to modernise port and shipping laws, enhance ease of doing business, ensure safety and environmental compliance, and unlock coastal trade potential.
The Five Transformative Bills
| Bill | Key Provisions |
|---|---|
| Bills of Lading Bill, 2025 | Passed by Rajya Sabha on July 22, the bill replaces the colonial-era law, affording modern, standardized documentation, efficiency in trade logistics, and a competitive edge in global shipping. |
| Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 | Approved on August 11, this legislation modernises maritime operations with streamlined, globally aligned policies—boosting regulatory clarity and business efficiency. |
| Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 | Passed on August 6, this bill aligns India’s maritime legal framework with international standards. It simplifies documentation, digitizes processes, and clarifies regulatory powers—enhancing transparency and competitiveness. The Economic Times. |
| Indian Ports Bill, 2025 | Passed by both Lok Sabha (August 12) and Rajya Sabha (August 18), the act replaces the 1908 legislation, bringing modern governance, sustainability, environmental safeguards, and a unified port management system. |
| Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 | Passed on August 7, this new framework simplifies licensing, regulates foreign vessels in coastal trade, and mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan to guide future infrastructure and policy direction. |
Why These Bills Matter
Boosting Economic Efficiency: Collectively, the reforms streamline business processes—reducing regulatory friction and administrative burdens across maritime operations.
Elevating Global Competitiveness: Aligning with international norms and digitizing documentation elevates India’s stature in global trade.
Safeguarding Environment & Safety: New standards embed environmental safeguards, resilience, and modern oversight across ports and shipping sectors.
Unleashing Coastal Potential: The Coastal Shipping Bill lays foundational groundwork for sustainable, cost-effective coastal transport—energizing domestic supply chains and reducing logistic costs.
Vision & Leadership
Driven by the vision of Maritime Amrit Kaal 2047, these reforms embody India’s ambition to emerge as a global maritime power. With unified leadership under Union Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal and Minister of State Shri Shantanu Thakur, the legislative push signifies a systematic and coordinated approach toward long-term maritime transformation.
Looking Ahead
As these bills move toward Presidential assent, implementation will be closely watched across the maritime, shipping, logistics, and coastal sectors. Expected outcomes include:
- Rollout of digital and streamlined systems for documentation and licensing.
- Infrastructure modernization through strategic planning and port governance reform.
- Environmental and safety compliance becoming non-negotiable pillars of maritime operations.
- A more robust, resilient blue economy, catalyzing coastal prosperity and growth.