Parliament on Monday, 11 August 2025, approved The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, with the Rajya Sabha passing it by voice vote. The Lok Sabha had cleared the Bill earlier on 6 August.

The legislation seeks to broaden the eligibility criteria for ownership of merchant shipping vessels and introduces provisions for investigations and enquiries into marine casualties.

The Bill was passed in the Upper House amid a walkout by Opposition members, who were protesting and demanding a discussion on the special intensive revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Opposition MPs objected to the Bill being taken up before the SIR issue was debated.