Parliament passes Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 replacing the 1958 Act
Parliament passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 on 11 August 2025 when the Rajya Sabha adopted it, after the Lok Sabha had passed it on 6 August.
Summary
The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 was passed by Parliament on 11 August 2025 when the Rajya Sabha adopted it, after the Lok Sabha had passed it on 6 August; Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal moved the bill. The bill replaces the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, which had 561 sections, with a streamlined framework of 16 parts and 325 clauses. It aims to modernise India's maritime framework and align domestic law with international best practices and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions.
Key facts
- Passed by Parliament
- 11 Aug 2025 (Rajya Sabha); Lok Sabha on 6 Aug
- Minister
- Sarbananda Sonowal
- Replaces
- Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (561 sections)
- New structure
- 16 parts, 325 clauses
- Alignment
- International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions
Practice MCQs 3 questions
The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 passed by Parliament on 11 August 2025 replaces the Merchant Shipping Act of which year?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1958
The bill replaces the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, which had 561 sections.
Consider the following statements about the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025: 1. The Act it replaces had 561 sections. 2. The new Bill is structured into 16 parts and 325 clauses. Which of the above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 had 561 sections, and the new Bill offers a streamlined framework of 16 parts and 325 clauses.
The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 aligns India's domestic laws with the conventions of which international body?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — International Maritime Organisation
The bill aims to align domestic laws with international best practices and International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions.