Parliament Passes Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025

• The Rajya Sabha has passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025, which was earlier cleared by the Lok Sabha on April 3.
• Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal stated the bill is central to increasing India’s coastal cargo to 230 million metric tonnes by 2030.
• The new law replaces outdated provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, with a modern, simplified framework.

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th Aug: In a significant move to modernize India’s maritime sector, the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 was passed by the Rajya Sabha today, successfully securing parliamentary approval. This legislation, which was previously passed by the Lok Sabha on April 3, is set to unlock the vast potential of India’s 11,098 km long coastline.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, who proposed the Bill for adoption, stated that the legislation is crucial for India’s goal of increasing its coastal cargo share to 230 million metric tonnes by 2030. He also emphasized its role in strengthening the maritime sector’s contribution to the visions of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” and “Viksit Bharat.”

The new law replaces Part XIV of the outdated Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. It introduces a simplified licensing system for coastal shipping for Indian vessels and lays down a framework for regulating foreign vessels. The Bill also mandates the formulation of a “National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan” to guide future infrastructure development and policy direction.

Furthermore, the legislation provides for the creation of a “National Database for Coastal Shipping” to ensure real-time access to data, which will promote transparency and boost investor confidence. Sonowal highlighted that the Bill is not just a legal reform but a strategic enabler of economic growth, employment, and logistics efficiency.

With the passage of the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways has secured approval for all three critical marine legislations, including the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025. This suite of reforms aims to build a seamless, efficient, and globally competitive maritime ecosystem for a self-reliant India.