Hague-Visby Rules
Why it Matters?
Parliament passed two landmark maritime bills Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025 and Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025 — modernising India’s maritime laws. The bills adopt the Hague-Visby Rules.
What You Should Know?
Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025
It replaces Merchant Shipping Act, 1958
Its objective is to modernise India's maritime legal framework in line with IMO conventions.
Its key features include enhancing maritime safety, emergency response, environmental protection and promoting Indian tonnage and seafarer welfare.
Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025
It replaces Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925 (colonial-era law).
Its objective is to simplify maritime cargo laws and promote Ease of Doing Business.
It adopts Hague-Visby Rules (global maritime standard) and will enhances transparency, reduces litigation, ensures legal clarity.
Hague-Visby Rules
The Hague-Visby Rules are international rules governing the carriage of goods by sea under a bill of lading.
They are adopted through the Brussels Protocol, 1968, and updated in 1979.
The Rules apply only to the "tackle-to-tackle" period – i.e., from loading to unloading of goods on the ship.
The Rules primarily define the rights and liabilities of carriers and shippers in international maritime transport.
Under the Rules, the carrier must ensure seaworthiness, properly man, equip and supply the ship, and carefully handle cargo.
The shipper must provide accurate cargo details and properly pack hazardous goods.
The Rules are widely adopted by major maritime nations like the UK, France, and Germany.
India adopted these Rules through the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025