Central Govt notifies Bills of Lading Act, 2025 [Read Notification]

In a landmark move to modernize India’s maritime legal infrastructure, the President has formally given assent to the Bills of Lading Act, 2025, replacing the colonial-era Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856. The legislation, approved by Parliament during the monsoon session, is now officially published in the Gazette of India.

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After earlier passage in the Lok Sabha in March 2025, the bill cleared the Rajya Sabha on 21 July 2025, via voice vote amid an Opposition walkout. It was introduced by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, who framed the shift as part of the government's broader vision under the Sagarmala programme to deepen port infrastructure and maritime trade efficiency.

Standing at the core of the bill’s objectives is the complete repeal of the outdated 1856 statute and the establishment of a modern, business‑friendly legal regime governing bills of lading, the essential documents confirming cargo carriage, ownership transfer, and contractual rights in shipping.

Key Updates of the Legislation

● Simplified Legal Language: The Act replaces archaic colonial‑era terminology with streamlined, accessible text aimed at reducing ambiguity and litigation risks.

● Alignment with Global Standards: The new framework mirrors international practices, enhancing India’s ability to participate competitively in global shipping markets.

● Transfer of Rights and Liabilities: The Act clarifies that upon endorsement of a bill of lading, rights and liabilities now follow the goods, thus aligning legal ownership with physical cargo transfer. The statutory protections such as stoppage in transit for sellers and freight recovery for carriers remain intact under the new regime.

● Government Implementation Powers: The Central Government is now empowered to issue directions for the Act’s implementation, ensuring flexibility to adapt it over time without repeated parliamentary action .

● Digital Future Signalled: Although e‑bills of lading are not yet legally recognised within this Act, the legislation explicitly anticipates future digital adaptation and digital transformation in shipping documents.

The Bill is seen as a strategic enabler for Ease of Doing Business, and a legal catalyst for India's ambition to scale up as a global maritime hub by 2047.

With the Act now notified, stakeholders are preparing for regulatory directives under government rules. The legal community anticipates drafting of detailed regulations, while logistics, export–import players and tech providers gear up for the promised digital transition.

The Bills of Lading Act, 2025 marks both a legal milestone and a strategic inflection point in India’s maritime journey, closing the colonial chapter and ushering in a future-ready, digital‑ready shipping law aligned with global norms.

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