In a significant move aimed at transforming India’s maritime logistics and strengthening national security, the Parliament has passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025, despite vocal protests from opposition members in the Rajya Sabha. The Bill is expected to simplify regulations for Indian ships, streamline coastal trade, and boost the nation’s supply chain resilience.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, while introducing the Bill, emphasized its alignment with the government’s broader agenda of ‘Ease of Doing Business’ and Atmanirbhar Bharat. He asserted that the legislation will reduce regulatory burdens on Indian vessels, promote domestic participation in coastal shipping, and ensure India maintains a robust coastal fleet to serve both commercial and security interests.
What the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2025 Proposes
The Bill seeks to consolidate and modernize outdated coastal shipping laws and encourage the development of a vibrant coastal fleet owned and operated by Indian citizens. It defines coastal waters as including not only territorial waters (extending up to 12 nautical miles) but also adjoining maritime zones reaching 200 nautical miles from the Indian coastline.
By redefining and regulating India’s coastal shipping practices, the Bill aims to:
●Strengthen India’s maritime logistics infrastructure
●Promote domestic trade via coastal routes, thereby easing pressure on road and rail transport
●Enhance national maritime security by ensuring Indian control over a larger portion of the country’s maritime territory
Opposition’s Objections
The Bill’s passage was not without controversy. The Rajya Sabha witnessed intense protests from opposition MPs demanding a separate discussion on the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Despite the commotion, the Bill was passed through a voice vote, marking another major milestone for the Modi government’s infrastructure and trade reform initiatives.
With the Lok Sabha having already cleared the legislation in April 2025, the Coastal Shipping Bill now awaits formal notification to become law, opening up new opportunities for the Indian maritime sector.
