Lok Sabha Passes the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024 | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Lok Sabha Passes the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024

Posted 04 Apr 2025

2 min read

The Bill provides a dedicated legal framework for coastal trade and regulate all types of vessels, including ships, boats, sailing vessels, and mobile offshore drilling units.

Key Provisions of Bill

  • License for Coasting Trade: It removes the requirement of trading license for Indian vessels while foreign vessels require a license issued by the Director General of Shipping (DGS).
    • Coasting trade refers to the carriage of goods or passengers by sea from one place or port in India to another.  
  • Strategic Plan and Database: It mandates the formulation of a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan (revised biennially) and formation of a National Database for Coastal Shipping.
  • Authority to DGS: It grants DGS the authority to seek information, issue directions, and enforce compliance.
  • Central Government: It empowers the Central Government to provide exemptions and regulatory oversight, ensuring streamlined and efficient coastal shipping operations in India.

Significance

  • Decongest road and rail network by propelling inland waterways and riverine economies.
  • Reducing dependence on foreign vessels for critical areas by developing a coastal fleet owned and operated by Indian entities.
  • Reduced Logistics cost, promotes green transport and regional development of coastal areas. 
  • Tags :
  • Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024
  • Coastal Trade
  • Coasting Trade
  • Coastline
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