The Lok Sabha has passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024. The Bill seeks to regulate vessels engaged in trade within Indian coastal waters. Under the Bill, coastal waters mean territorial waters of India, along with adjoining maritime zones. The bill aims to consolidate and amend the law relating to regulation of coastal shipping, promote coasting trade and encourage domestic participation. This Bill will ensure that India is equipped with a coastal fleet, owned and operated by the citizens of the country for its national security and commercial needs.
Replying to a debate on the bill, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said that Prime Minister always used to say that without transportation, there can not be transformation. Mr Sonowal said that this sector isthe  country’s largest transporter and plays an important role in strengthening India’s economy. The Union Minister informed the House that in the last ten years, the achievements made by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is remarkable. He added that in the last ten years, the cargo handling capacity has increased by 103 percent from 800 Million Metric Tonnes in 2014 to one thousand 630 MMT now. He noted that as per port ranking performance, India’s port which was ranked 54th in 2014, furthers improved its position to 38 now. Besides, India’s nine ports have also found their place in world’s 100 top ports. The Minister said that the Bill has been drafted after a detailed analysis of the global best practices and dedicated laws of major maritime countries. He also assured the House that the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 is firmly grounded in the spirit of cooperative federalism and does not encroach upon the jurisdiction of the State.