Bills of Lading Bill, 2024
The Bills of Lading Bill, 2024 was passed by both houses of the Indian Parliament in 2025 and became the Bills of Lading Act, 2025. The new legislation modernizes the 169-year-old colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, to align India's maritime laws with global standards.
Legislative Status
- Introduced in Lok Sabha: August 9, 2024.
- Passed by Lok Sabha: March 10, 2025.
- Passed by Rajya Sabha: July 21, 2025.
- Presidential Assent: The Bill was sent to the President of India for her assent after passing both houses. The Act was officially promulgated on July 24, 2025, and came into force on September 10, 2025.
Key Provisions and Objectives
The new Act, now officially named the Bills of Lading Act, 2025, retains the core substance of the original law but simplifies the language and reorganizes provisions for better clarity and ease of understanding.
- Replaces Colonial Law: The primary goal is to eliminate the legacy of the Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856, providing a modern and user-friendly framework for the shipping industry.
- Transfer of Rights: The Act ensures that every consignee or endorsee of a bill of lading, to whom property in the goods passes, also acquires all rights and liabilities related to those goods as if they had signed the original contract.
- Conclusive Evidence: A bill of lading in the hands of a legitimate holder is considered conclusive evidence that the goods were shipped, protecting innocent third parties in transactions.
- Government Empowerment: It empowers the Central Government to issue necessary directions for carrying out the provisions of the Act, allowing for better implementation and management of the legislation.
- Digitalization & Efficiency: The modernization is expected to enable the use of electronic bills of lading (eBLs), reducing paperwork, minimizing fraud risks, and streamlining business operations to enhance India's global trade competitiveness.
The legislation is part of a broader effort by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways to modernize India's maritime laws and enhance the country's competitiveness in international shipping.
Download Pdf
