Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024

Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024: Recently, the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 was passed in the Lok Sabha to provide a dedicated legal framework for promoting coastal and inland trade in India.

• Key Features of Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024:

o Objective: Unlock the potential of India’s coastline and decongest road and rail networks.

o Policy Alignment: Linked to the National Logistics Policy and Government’s multi-modal transport vision.

o Legal Overhaul: Replaces outdated Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 with a future-ready legal framework.

o Foreign Vessel Regulation: Introduces licensing for foreign vessels in coastal trade.

o Strategic Planning: Mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan, revised biennially.

o Data Integration: Creates a National Database for Coastal Shipping for transparency and coordination.

o Penalty Mechanism: Regulates foreign-chartered vessels with penalties aligned with decriminalisation.

o Regulatory Power: Grants powers to the Director General of Shipping for enforcement and oversight.

o Government Oversight: Central Government can provide exemptions and frame regulations.

o Global Standards: Aligns with international best practices, tailored to Indian conditions.

o Trade Boost: Enhances coastal trade, inland waterways, and riverine economies.

o State Support: Focus on Odisha, Karnataka, Goa, enabling joint planning and execution.