Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025

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Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025
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Parliament of India
  • An Act to consolidate and amend the law relating to the carriage of goods by sea; to give effect to international conventions on bills of lading; to promote uniformity in maritime transport rules; to protect the interests of shippers, carriers and consignees; and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Territorial extent India
PassedMarch 28, 2025 (2025-03-28) (Lok Sabha)
August 11, 2025 (2025-08-11) (Rajya Sabha)
Legislative history
Bill titleCarriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025
Bill citation Bill No. 112C of 2024
Introduced byMinistry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Status: Pending assent

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]

Contents

Background and timeline

Background

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

Provisions

Scope and Application

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

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

Shippers must ensure the accuracy of cargo descriptions, markings, and quantities, and indemnify carriers for losses arising from misdeclaration.

Liability and Limitation

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

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

Recognises electronic bills of lading and related digital transport documents, facilitating paperless trade.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Parliament passes Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025". Press Information Bureau. 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  2. 1 2 "Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 gets Parliament's nod". The Economic Times. 2025-08-11. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  3. ↑ "Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 — PRS Legislative Research". PRS Legislative Research. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
  4. ↑ "Lok Sabha passes Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill". The Economic Times. 2025-08-06. Retrieved 2025-08-12.
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