Parliament Passes Two Key Bills to Modernise Shipping

07 Aug 2025 CW Team

In a landmark development, the Indian Parliament has passed two crucial maritime legislations — the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 — marking a significant milestone for the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW). These new laws aim to establish a modern, efficient and globally compliant maritime policy framework for the country.

The Lok Sabha approved the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, which seeks to replace the outdated Merchant Shipping Act of 1958. The Bill includes 16 parts and 325 clauses, aligning India’s legal structure with international maritime conventions. It focuses on safety at sea, environmental protection, improved emergency response, seafarer welfare, and the promotion of Indian shipping tonnage. The Bill is designed to reduce regulatory burden and enhance India’s status as a reliable maritime jurisdiction.

Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, repealing the nearly century-old Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. The new legislation adopts the globally recognised Hague-Visby Rules and aims to simplify maritime trade laws, minimise litigation, and improve commercial efficiency. This move supports the government's broader agenda to modernise the legal framework by eliminating colonial-era laws and promoting ease of doing business.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shri Sarbananda Sonowal hailed the legislation as a historic moment and a clear endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to transform India’s shipping industry. Minister of State Shri Shantanu Thakur echoed this sentiment, emphasising the shift from outdated legal frameworks to progressive, transparent and globally relevant standards.

Both Bills are intended to make India’s maritime trade regulations future-ready, improve compliance with international trade agreements, and stimulate sustainable growth and innovation across the shipping and logistics sector.

Infrastructure Urban

30 Oct 2025

Infrastructure Opportunity Outlook by IMPACCT.Info

India’s infrastructure pipeline is witnessing dynamic activity across stages — from immediate bidding to future planning. IMPACCT segments these into three categories: Immediate, 3–6 Month, and Future Opportunities, enabling businesses to identify, prepare, and participate in high-value tenders and projects across sectors...To read the full article Click Here..

Serene Communities, Prathima Group Invest Rs 4 billion in Hyderabad

Serene Communities by Columbia Pacific, India’s largest senior living operator, has partnered with Prathima Group to develop two senior living projects in Hyderabad, marking its entry into Telangana. The collaboration represents an investment of Rs 4 billion, combining Serene’s international expertise with Prathima’s local development experience. The first project, Serene BILVANI One, launched in Shankarpally, is Hyderabad’s first premium senior living community. Designed for independent and active ageing, it features senior-friendly architecture, barrier-free design, and wellness..

India remains our most important market

Foundamental, the world’s leading venture capital platform focused on the project economy, has launched its third fund to strengthen its presence in India, APAC, and other global markets. Led by Berlin-based Managing Partners Shubhankar Bhattacharya and Patric Hellermann, Fund III aims for a final close by the end of 2025. In an exclusive interaction with CW, Bhattacharya shares insights on the fund’s mandate, India’s role in their strategy, and the opportunities they see in the construction-tech and project-based sectors. Can you briefly explain Fund III’s mandate and how In..