Parliament on Monday passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, after the Rajya Sabha approved it during the ongoing session.
According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, the bill is a landmark legislation aimed at modernising India’s maritime framework. It aligns domestic laws with international best practices and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions, ensuring that the country’s maritime sector remains equipped, ready, and relevant to contemporary and future challenges.
The bill was presented in the Rajya Sabha by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, after it was cleared by the Lok Sabha on August 6.
Calling it “a decisive step towards positioning India as a trusted maritime trade hub,” Sonowal said, “This Bill marks a transformative shift from a regulatory-heavy approach to an enabling policy environment that will boost investor confidence, enhance safety standards, protect our marine ecosystem, and strengthen India’s position as a maritime power. It incorporates global best practices, reduces compliance burdens, and ensures comprehensive adoption of our international commitments — all of which will catalyse growth and sustainability in the sector. Led by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this Bill replaces an outdated, bulky framework with a progressive, streamlined law that will boost India’s bankability as a maritime hub, increase tonnage under our flag, reduce compliance burdens, and secure our coastline.”
The ministry noted that the passage of this bill marks a record legislative achievement, with the highest number of maritime sector legislations passed in a single Parliament session. This reflects the government’s commitment to transforming India into a global maritime leader and building a strong foundation for a Viksit Bharat.
Replacing the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 — which had 561 sections — the new Bill has 16 parts and 325 clauses, creating a streamlined legal framework. It ensures full adoption of India’s obligations under major international conventions, improves ease of doing business by reducing compliance requirements, enhances safety in navigation and life at sea, safeguards the marine environment, strengthens emergency preparedness and salvage operations, boosts tonnage under the Indian flag, and protects India’s coastline and maritime interests.
“Under the dynamic leadership of PM Narendra Modi, India’s maritime sector is being empowered with a forward-looking, enabling policy framework that is geared to make the nation a leading maritime power in the world,” Sonowal said. “Our ports, shipping, and waterways are now poised to shoulder a much greater share of global trade, driving economic growth, generating employment, and contributing directly to the vision of a Viksit Bharat.”
The ministry further stated that the focus is shifting from regulation to enablement, with the aim of making India a more attractive maritime jurisdiction. This is expected to draw greater global investment, create jobs, and foster sustainable growth.
India is already one of the world’s largest suppliers of seafarers and a key player in global shipping routes. “With these reforms, India is not just keeping pace with global maritime standards; we are setting the stage for our ports, shipping, and waterways to play a central role in India’s journey towards becoming a developed nation,” Sonowal added.
-ANI