Lok Sabha passes Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill

The Lok Sabha passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024 on Friday. An official statement said this bill is expected to modernise, update legal framework as well as enhance Ease of Doing Business (EODB) in India’s maritime sector.

Commenting on the development, Union Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Minister Sarbanada Sonowal said the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill is a significant step toward strengthening India’s legal foundation for maritime commerce.

Sonowal also introduced the Indian Ports Bill, 2025. It is aimed at consolidating laws related to port management, promoting integrated port development, and enhancing the ease of doing business in the maritime sector.


According to the Shipping Ministry, this bill seeks to optimise the utilisation of India’s vast coastline by establishing and empowering State Maritime Boards to ensure effective management of ports other than major ports. It also proposes the formation of the Maritime State Development Council to foster structured growth and development of the port sector.

The Indian Ports bill also addresses critical aspects such as pollution control, disaster management, emergency response, security, safety, navigation, and data management at ports. It seeks to ensure India’s compliance with international obligations and maritime conventions, the Ministry said in a statement.

This bill includes provisions for port conservation and introduces adjudicatory mechanisms for resolving port-related disputes efficiently.