“The passing of this Bill reflects the government’s continued dedication to facilitating trade, reducing litigation risks, and ensuring that India remains at the forefront of global shipping,” Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said.
| Photo Credit: Sansad TV via ANI
The Lok Sabha on Monday (March 10, 2025) passed the Bills of Lading Bill, 2024, which aims to update and simplify the legal framework for shipping documents replacing the colonial era Act of 1856.
“The current law, a brief three-Section Act, primarily governs the transfer of rights and confirmation that goods were loaded onto a vessel. With the shipping industry evolving and the global trade landscape changing, there is a pressing need for India to adopt a more comprehensive and understandable law that aligns with international standards,” the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways said in a statement. It also empowers the Central government to issue directions to facilitate the law’s implementation along with an inclusion of a standard repeal and saving clause, while eliminating the colonial legacy of the 1856 Act.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal termed it a historic milestone in India’s journey towards a modern, efficient, and globally competitive shipping sector. “The passing of this Bill reflects the government’s continued dedication to facilitating trade, reducing litigation risks, and ensuring that India remains at the forefront of global shipping.”
The Bill will now be presented in the Rajya Sabha.
Meanwhile, Monday’s (March 10, 2025) face-off between the Government and the DMK cast its shadow even during the discussion on the Bill.
DMK member Kalanidhi Veeraswamy said, “I would like to thank the Minister for naming it the Bills of Lading Bill instead of calling it some Hindi name which would not have been easy for us to understand or comprehend sir”.
When the DMK MP wondered if the English name was because of lack of a suitable substitute for the word — Lading — BJP’s Dilip Saikia, who was presiding the proceedings, came up with the Hindi equivalent.
“Then I would thank the Minister doubly for not using it,” Mr. Veeraswamy added.
Published – March 11, 2025 03:19 am IST