New Delhi: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2025, amid loud protests and sloganeering by the Opposition, which was demanding a discussion on the revision of voter rolls in Bihar. This is the second legislation to be cleared in the Monsoon Session so far, which has been repeatedly disrupted by Opposition protests.
The Merchant Shipping Bill aims to overhaul the decades-old Merchant Shipping Act of 1958. According to the government, the Bill provides a modern, forward-looking legal framework to support India’s growing maritime economy. It proposes new eligibility criteria for ownership of merchant ships and outlines comprehensive procedures for investigating marine casualties and conducting enquiries.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, initiated the discussion on the Bill. BJP MPs Captain Brijesh Chowta and Mukeshkumar Chandrakant Dalal also participated in the debate, despite continuous protests by Opposition members. However, no Opposition MP spoke on the Bill, and the discussion remained brief due to the noisy disruptions.
The Bill was eventually passed by a voice vote. Moments after its passage, the House was adjourned for the day. The Opposition continued to raise slogans over the Bihar electoral roll issue, bringing proceedings to a standstill.
This marks the second successful legislative business in the ongoing Monsoon Session. A day earlier, the Lok Sabha had passed the Readjustment of Representation of Scheduled Tribes in Assembly Constituencies of the State of Goa Bill, 2025. That Bill aims to provide reservation for Scheduled Tribes in the Goa Legislative Assembly.
The government has argued that the new Merchant Shipping Bill reflects India’s status as a rising economic power and aligns with global maritime standards. The legislation is expected to improve governance in the shipping sector, encourage private investment, and streamline regulations for better safety and efficiency at sea.
Despite the continued logjam in Parliament over various issues, including those related to electoral processes and state governance, the government has managed to push forward with its legislative agenda in bits and pieces.
