| Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Parliament of India | |
| |
| Citation | Act No. 19 of 2025 |
| Territorial extent | India |
| Enacted by | Lok Sabha |
| Passed | 28 March 2025 |
| Enacted by | Rajya Sabha |
| Passed | 6 August 2025 |
| Assented to | 8 August 2025 |
| Commenced | 10 September 2025 |
| Legislative history | |
| Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha | Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024 |
| Bill citation | Bill No. 112C of 2024 |
| Introduced by | Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways |
| Repeals | |
| Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 | |
| Status: In force | |
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025 is an Act of the Parliament of India that replaces the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. It modernises the legal framework governing bills of lading, the rights and responsibilities of carriers, shippers, and consignees, and incorporates provisions from international conventions on maritime cargo transport.[1][2]
Background and timeline[edit | edit source]
Background[edit | edit source]
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 was based on the Hague Rules and had not kept pace with developments in global shipping. The 2025 Act updates Indian law to reflect the Hague–Visby Rules and certain provisions from the Hamburg Rules, ensuring consistency with international maritime transport standards and addressing multimodal transport realities.[3]
Timeline[edit | edit source]
- 28 March 2025: The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025 was passed by Lok Sabha.[4]
- 6 August 2025: The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025 was passed by Rajya Sabha.[2]
Provisions[edit | edit source]
Scope and Application[edit | edit source]
The Act applies to contracts for the carriage of goods by sea under bills of lading or similar documents of title, covering both import and export shipments from Indian ports.
Carrier Responsibilities[edit | edit source]
Carriers must exercise due diligence to make the ship seaworthy, properly manned, equipped, and supplied; and to carefully handle, load, stow, carry, keep, care for, and discharge the goods carried.
Shipper Responsibilities[edit | edit source]
Shippers must ensure the accuracy of cargo descriptions, markings, and quantities, and indemnify carriers for losses arising from misdeclaration.
Liability and Limitation[edit | edit source]
The Act updates liability limits in line with the Hague–Visby Rules, prescribes timelines for notice of loss or damage, and defines exceptions to liability.
Jurisdiction and Dispute Resolution[edit | edit source]
The Act provides that disputes may be resolved through Indian courts or arbitration as per contractual agreements, with jurisdiction clauses subject to Indian law.
Electronic Documentation[edit | edit source]
Recognises electronic bills of lading and related digital transport documents, facilitating paperless trade.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Parliament passes Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025". Press Information Bureau. 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 gets Parliament's nod". The Economic Times. 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ↑ "Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 — PRS Legislative Research". PRS Legislative Research. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
- ↑ "Lok Sabha passes Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill". The Economic Times. 2025-08-06. Retrieved 2025-08-12.