Pratik Bijlani –
In a landmark move for India’s maritime sector, the Rajya Sabha on the first day of the monsoon session passed the ‘Bills of Lading, 2025’, paving the way for Presidential assent and the replacement of a 169-year-old colonial law. Introduced by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, the bill marks a decisive step towards creating a modern, simplified, and globally aligned legal framework for maritime shipping documentation in India.
The legislation replaces the archaic Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, with contemporary provisions designed to streamline the rights and obligations of carriers, shippers, and lawful holders. By adopting clear and business-friendly language, the law reduces ambiguity in shipping documentation, lowers litigation risks, and aligns India’s practices with international standards, thereby strengthening the nation’s global trade position.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, Sonowal highlighted the government’s vision to shed remnants of colonial legacy and create legal systems that reflect modern India’s aspirations. “The 21st century is destined to be the century of Bharat. This reform reflects our constitutional values and supports the vision of transforming India into a developed country by 2047,” he said.
The bill introduces enabling clauses empowering the central government to issue directions for effective implementation and includes repeal and saving provisions to ensure continuity and legal validity of past actions under the old Act. These reforms are expected to enhance clarity, promote ease of doing business, and simplify enforcement in line with contemporary trade and legal standards.
As India pushes to become one of the world’s top five shipbuilding nations by 2047, the new ‘Bills of Lading, 2025’ legislation is seen as a critical step in modernizing the legal infrastructure underpinning its maritime economy.
Marex Media