Parliament clears Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025
The Rajya Sabha passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 on 7 August 2025, completing its passage through Parliament; the Bill replaces Part XIV of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and aims to raise coastal cargo to 230 million tonnes by 2030.
Summary
The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 cleared Parliament on 7 August 2025 when the Rajya Sabha passed it; the Lok Sabha had passed it on 3 April 2025. Moved by Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the Bill replaces Part XIV of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 with a simplified licensing system for coastal shipping and a framework for regulating foreign vessels in coasting trade. It has six chapters and 42 clauses, mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan and a National Database for Coastal Shipping, and is meant to help raise coastal cargo to 230 million metric tonnes by 2030. With it, the ministry has secured Parliament's approval for three maritime bills, along with the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025.
Key facts
- Rajya Sabha passed
- 7 Aug 2025
- Lok Sabha passed
- 3 Apr 2025
- Replaces
- Part XIV of Merchant Shipping Act, 1958
- Structure
- 6 chapters, 42 clauses
- Mandates
- National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan; National Database for Coastal Shipping
- Target
- 230 million metric tonnes coastal cargo by 2030
- Coastline
- 11,098 km; 9 states and 4 UTs
Practice MCQs 4 questions
The Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025, which cleared Parliament on 7 August 2025, replaces which part of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Part XIV
The Bill replaces Part XIV of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 with new legislation aligned with global cabotage norms.
What coastal cargo target by 2030 did the Shipping Minister link to the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 230 million metric tonnes
Sarbananda Sonowal said the legislation is central to increasing India's coastal cargo share to 230 million metric tonnes by 2030.
Consider the following statements about the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025: 1. It mandates the formulation of a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan. 2. It provides for a National Database for Coastal Shipping. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The Bill mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan and provides for a National Database for Coastal Shipping with real-time, regularly updated data.
Consider the following statements about the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025: 1. It was passed by the Rajya Sabha before the Lok Sabha. 2. It comprises six chapters and 42 clauses. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: the Lok Sabha passed the Bill first, on 3 April 2025, and the Rajya Sabha passed it on 7 August 2025. Statement 2 is correct: the Bill has six chapters and 42 clauses.