Parliament Passes Bills of Lading Bill, 2025

On 21st July 2025, the Rajya Sabha passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025, following its earlier passage in the Lok Sabha in March. The bill aims to modernize the legal framework governing shipping documents in India by replacing the colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856.

Key Points

Modern Shipping Framework: The new legislation simplifies and updates regulations governing bills of lading — essential documents issued by carriers to shippers detailing the type, quantity, and destination of goods.
Enhanced Transparency: The bill is expected to improve transparency and ease of doing business in the maritime trade sector.
Sagarmala Programme Milestone: The bill aligns with the Government’s Sagarmala initiative, under which 805+ port projects worth over Rs. 5.5 lakh crore have been undertaken since 2014.
Infrastructure Boost: India’s port handling capacity rose from 87 million metric tonnes in 2013-14 to 165 million metric tonnes; inland waterway traffic jumped from 18 MMT to 145 MMT, showcasing the impact of modernization efforts.