The Rajya Sabha has passed the Bills of Lading, 2025, marking a significant legislative update to India's maritime laws. This bill, which was earlier cleared by the Lok Sabha in March, replaces the outdated Indian Bill of Lading Act of 1856 with a modern and simplified legal framework tailored for the shipping industry.
The Upper House approved the bill through a voice vote during Monday&rsquo;s post-lunch session, despite a walk-out by the Opposition.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal introduced the bill in the Rajya Sabha, highlighting its significance in supporting India's growing shipping and maritime trade sectors. The legislation aims to provide a more efficient and user-friendly system for handling shipping documents.
With approvals from both Houses, the Bill of Lading Act 2025 will now be forwarded to the President for assent before becoming law.
The original British-era act was a brief, three-section law that governed the transfer of rights and verification that goods were loaded onto ships. Given the evolution of global trade and the shipping industry, the new law brings India&rsquo;s maritime legislation in line with international standards.
Key changes under the updated act include clearer language, a restructured format, and provisions empowering the central government to issue directions for implementation. It also introduces a standard repeal and savings clause, effectively ending the colonial legacy of the 1856 law.
A bill of lading is an essential shipping document issued by a freight carrier to a shipper, detailing the type, quantity, condition, and destination of goods being transported. The new law aims to ensure better clarity and efficiency in such transactions. [Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]

New Bill replaces 169-year-old colonial shipping law to modernize maritime documentation

Parliament Clears New Bill of Lading Law

New Bill replaces 169-year-old colonial shipping law to modernize maritime documentation

July 21, 2025 | 18:52 IST