The Bills of Lading Act, 2025
Administered Ministry: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Act details
| Short title | The Bills of Lading Act, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Long title | An Act to make provisions for the transfer of rights of suit and all liabilities to the consignee named in a bill of lading and every endorsee of a bill of lading, to whom the property in the goods mentioned in the bill of lading shall pass, upon or by reason of a consignment or an endorsement, and for matters connected therewith or related thereto. |
| Act number | 18 of 2025 |
| Act year | 2025 |
| Enactment date | 17 Jun 2025 |
| Ministry | Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways |
| Jurisdiction | Central (Parliament of India) |
| Sections | 6 |
| Status | Not repealed |
| Last checked on India Code | 28 Oct 2026 |
| Source | India Code, Government of India |
Summary
Summary of Bills of Lading Act, 2025
It simplifies the law while preserving the rights and liabilities of parties involved in the carriage of goods by sea, thereby promoting legal certainty and facilitating international maritime trade.
Key Provisions
1. Transfer of Rights and Liabilities
• Rights of Suit: The consignee named in the bill of lading and every lawful endorsee acquires all rights of suit under the contract of carriage.
• Liabilities: The consignee or lawful endorsee also assumes the same liabilities as if they had originally entered into the contract.
2. Recognition of Bills of Lading
• Evidence of Contract: A bill of lading serves as evidence of the contract for the carriage of goods by sea.
• Transfer of Goods: It enables the lawful transfer of ownership and possession of goods through endorsement and delivery.
3. Government Powers
• Implementation: The Central Government may take necessary measures for the effective implementation of the Act.
• Administrative Authority: Empowered to issue directions to ensure the smooth operation of the Act.
Legislative history
Legislative History:
The Bills of Lading Act, 2025
Source: Official Record of Parliament, India Code, and Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Act Title - The Bills of Lading Act, 2025
Act Number - Act No. 18 of 2025
Act ID (India Code) - 202518
Presidential Assent date - June 17, 2025
Enforcement Date - June 17, 2025
Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Precedent & Historical Rationale
● Repeal & Modernization of Colonial Framework: Repeals the 169-year-old Indian Bills of Lading Act, 1856 (9 of 1856) to modernize language, streamline structure, and remove outdated colonial terminology from India's maritime statute book.
● Vesting of Rights of Suit & Conclusive Evidence: Codifies the statutory transfer of all rights of suit and liabilities to named consignees and endorsees upon transfer of property in goods, while establishing that a signed bill of lading in the hands of a bona fide holder for value serves as conclusive evidence of shipment..
Parliamentary Trajectory & Enactment
● Formulation: Introduced by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, to align shipping documentation laws with contemporary international trade practices and enable central government policy direction.
● Parliamentary Passage: Passed by the Lok Sabha on March 10, 2025, and subsequently passed by the Rajya Sabha on July 21, 2025.
● Presidential Assent: Received the assent of the President of India on July 24, 2025..
● Enforcement: Enforced on June 17, 2025.