Overview

• Rajya Sabha approved the Coastal Shipping Bill on August 7, concluding Parliament’s replacement of three colonial-era maritime statutes in this Monsoon Session.
• The law establishes a biennial National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan and defines coastal waters up to 12 nautical miles with adjoining maritime zones extending to 200 nautical miles.
• Earlier this week, the Lok Sabha passed the Merchant Shipping (Amendment) Bill, 2024, and the Rajya Sabha approved the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, replacing the 1958 and 1925 Acts.
• All three bills grant the central government powers to license vessels, detain stateless ships, amend rules through notifications and enforce international conventions such as MARPOL and the Hague-Visby Rules.
• Opposition protests over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar repeatedly disrupted proceedings and led to multiple adjournments during the session.