Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024

Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill Latest News

The Lok Sabha recently passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, paving the way for the enactment of modern maritime law in the country.

About Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024

• It will replace the colonial-era Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.
  • The Act establishes the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities in case of goods carried from a port in India to another port in India or any other port in the world.
  • The Act is in conformance with the International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading of August 1924 (Hague Rules) and subsequent amendments to it.
  • The bill retains all provisions of the act.
• The bill is aimed at consolidating laws related to port management, promoting integrated port development, and enhancing the ease of doing business in the maritime sector.
• It seeks to optimize the utilisation of India’s vast coastline by establishing and empowering State Maritime Boards to ensure effective management of ports other than major ports. 
• It also proposes the formation of the Maritime State Development Council to foster structured growth and development of the port sector.
• It also addresses critical aspects such as pollution control, disaster management, emergency response, security, safety, navigation, and data management at ports. 
• It seeks to ensure India’s compliance with international obligations and maritime conventions.
• This bill includes provisions for port conservation and introduces adjudicatory mechanisms for resolving port-related disputes efficiently.
• Powers of the central government: The Bill empowers the central government to:
  • Issue directions for carrying out provisions of the Bill;
  • Amend the schedule specifying rules applicable to bills of lading;

Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill FAQs

Q1. Which international convention does the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024 conform to?

Ans. The International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading (Hague Rules)

Q2. What is the primary aim of the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024?

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Ans. To consolidate laws related to port management and enhance ease of doing business in the maritime sector.

Q3. What is the purpose of establishing State Maritime Boards under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024?

Ans. To ensure effective management of ports other than major ports.

Source: MINT