Bill No. 112 of 2024 repeals 1925 sea cargo law

This Bill replaces the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925, to establish the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities of carriers regarding the carriage of goods by sea. It aims to give legal force to the rules set out in the Schedule, which are based on international conventions from Brussels (1922, 1923, 1968, and 1979).

Carriers (including owners or charterers who enter into contracts of carriage), shippers, and holders of bills of lading or similar documents of title for goods carried by sea from any port in India to any other port, whether in or outside India.

• The applicable rules in the Schedule have the force of law for sea carriage from Indian ports.
• There is no implied absolute undertaking by the carrier to provide a seaworthy ship in contracts covered by these rules.
• Every bill of lading issued in India must contain an express statement that it is subject to the applicable rules in the Schedule.
• Article VI of the applicable rules is modified for sailing ships and for routes between specified Indian ports and Sri Lanka.
• For bulk cargoes where weight is ascertained by a third party, the bill of lading is not prima facie evidence of receipt of that weight, and the shipper does not guarantee its accuracy.
• The Central Government may issue directions to carry out the Act and may amend the Schedule by notification.
• Notifications issued under the Act must be laid before Parliament for 30 days, during which time both Houses may modify or annul them.
• The Central Government may make orders to remove difficulties in giving effect to the Act, provided such orders are made within two years of commencement.
• The Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 is repealed, with savings for rights, obligations, and proceedings already incurred under the old Act.

Written from the document by AI, and checked against it. The original below is authoritative.

The original document