The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024 was introduced in Lok Sabha on August 9, 2024.  The Bill seeks to replace the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.  The Act establishes the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities in case of goods carried from a port in India to another port in India or any other port in the world.  The Act is in conformance with the International Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules of Law relating to Bills of Lading of August 1924 (Hague Rules) and subsequent amendments to it.  The Bill retains all provisions of the Act.

Powers of the central government:  The Bill empowers the central government to: (i) issue directions for carrying out provisions of the Bill, and (ii) amend the schedule specifying rules applicable to bills of lading.  A bill of lading refers to a document issued by a freight carrier to a shipper.  It contains details such as the type, quantity, condition, and destination of goods being carried.  The rules outline the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities of goods carriers.