Indian Parliament Passes Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill and Merchant Shipping Bill

• The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, passed by the Rajya Sabha, despite Opposition protests against the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.

• The Lok Sabha passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, a maritime legislation.

• Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the Demands for Grants for Manipur for 2025-26.

• The Bill was approved by a voice vote amid the protests.

• The Bill is expected to simplify maritime trade laws, reduce litigation risks, and enhance transparency and commercial efficiency in cargo movement by sea.

• The Bill is a significant step towards aligning India’s maritime legal framework with global standards