Union Shipping Minister says Coastal Shipping Bill will unlock India’s maritime potential
The Hindu
Union Shipping Minister Sonowal introduces Coastal Shipping Bill to boost maritime industry, facing opposition over impact on fishermen.
Union Shipping Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday (April 1, 2025) moved the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 and stated that the legislation will unlock India’s maritime potential and provide a sustainable alternative to road and rail transport.
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Mr. Sonowal, who holds the ports, shipping and waterways portfolio, said that with the logistics sector seeking low-cost, reliable and sustainable alternatives, the Bill will give a much-needed push to the maritime industry through a dedicated legal framework for coastal shipping.
“This Bill is a significant reform initiative that can unlock the full potential of India’s vast and strategic maritime sector,” the Minister said.
The Coastal Shipping Bill introduced in the Lok Sabha on December 2, 2024, seeks to regulate vessels engaged in trade within the Indian coastal waters.
Opposition MPs, however, raised concerns about the Bill’s impact on fishermen and the role of States in coastal shipping governance.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore accused the government of overlooking the struggles of fishermen, particularly in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
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