Bills of lading bill 2025
Implementing Body- Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Government of India.
The Bills of Lading Bill, 2025 is recently passed by the parliament that aims to update and modernize the legal framework governing bills of lading in India. It replaces the colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, streamlining legal procedures and aligning maritime trade laws with global standards.
A bill of lading serves as a receipt issued by a carrier to a shipper, detailing the type, quantity, condition, and destination of goods shipped, as well as acting as a contract and a document of title for the goods.
Key features and objectives of the Bills of Lading Bill, 2025 include:
- Modernization and simplification: The Bill updates the archaic shipping law by simplifying legal language and reorganizing provisions without altering their core substance, making the law more accessible and relevant to contemporary maritime trade.
- Alignment with international standards: It aligns India’s maritime laws with global trade practices, facilitating smoother, clearer shipping processes and reducing disputes.
- Enabling digitization: The Bill supports electronic documentation, promoting digitization in maritime shipping.
- Empowerment of the Central Government: The Bill grants the Central Government authority to issue directions and rules to ensure effective implementation.
- Boost to trade and export growth: By streamlining shipping documentation and clarifying legal rights, the Bill is expected to improve business efficiency and enhance India’s competitiveness in international maritime trade.
- User-Friendly Provisions: Simplifies language and structure without altering the substantive principles of the original law.
This Bill represents a significant step in modernizing India’s shipping laws, replacing a 169-year-old act with a more contemporary legal framework tailored for current maritime trade practices.
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