On Friday (August 9, 2024), the Minister of Shipping in India Sarbananda Sonowal introduced two bills — Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024 and The Bills of Lading Bill 2024- in the Lok Sabha.
The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024 is meant to be compatible with the international convention as well as changeable universal conditions that can affect shipping.
Saugata Roy (Trinamool Congress) objected to this bill’s introduction saying that Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 has been fulfilling its purpose for the past hundred years, and The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024 only contains a few minor amendments. “The country does not need this additional unnecessary legislation,” Mr. Roy said.
In response to Mr. Roy, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal mentioned that the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 is already an ancient law hence it was necessary to simplify it for ease of understanding because international conventions had changed over time.
“This bill is essential and needed some changes and including some definition with aim at simplifying and better understanding” added Mr. Sonowal.”
