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Lok Sabha passes Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill
The Lok Sabha has passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, which aims to modernise regulations governing the responsibilities, liabilities, rights, and immunities of carriers involved in the transportation of goods by sea.
The bill, which also addresses matters connected therewith or related thereto, was introduced to repeal and replace the century-old pre-Independence legislation, the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925.
Significance: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, highlighted the significance of the new legislation, stating that it updates a framework that has been in place for 100 years.
"This bill intends to repeal and replace the 100-year-old pre-independence legislation, the Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925," Sonowal said.
The minister further elaborated that the Act applies to ships transporting goods from an Indian port to a foreign port and between Indian ports, thereby encompassing both international and domestic carriers of goods by sea.
"The Act is applicable when ships are carrying goods from an Indian port to a foreign port or from one Indian port to another, covering international carriers of goods from India as well as domestic carriers of goods by sea," he added.
What's on the anvil: According to the business list, Sonowal will also introduce 'The Indian Ports Bill, 2025' in the Lok Sabha on Friday. The bill aims to consolidate the law relating to ports, promote integrated port development, facilitate ease of doing business and ensure the optimum utilisation of India's coastline by establishing and empowering State Maritime Boards for effective management of ports other than major ports.
Also, to establish the Maritime State Development Council for fostering structured growth development of the port sector; provide for the management of pollution, disaster, emergencies, security, safety, navigation, and data at ports; ensure compliance with India 's obligations under international instruments to which it is a party.
Indian Army tests kamikaze drone
In a first-of-its-kind project, the Indian Army's Fleur-De-Lis Brigade successfully tested a First Person View (FPV) drone equipped with an impact-based, kamikaze-role anti-tank munition. The test was carried out in the general area of Pathankot in Punjab. The Fleur-De-Lis Brigade has achieved a milestone in tactical drone warfare by successfully developing, testing, and validating an FPV drone equipped with an impact-based, kamikaze-role anti-tank munition--the first-of-its-kind project in the Indian Army. This FPV drone is developed in collaboration with DRDO's Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory (TBRL), Chandigarh. This initiative, launched in August 2024, has undergone extensive research, development, and trials to enhance the capabilities of low-cost, high-impact aerial strike systems. The FPV drone was entirely assembled in-house at the Rising Star Drone Battle School, which has fabricated over 100 drones within the formation as of March 2025. This self-reliant approach ensured complete control over build quality, component integration, and real-time modifications as per TBRL directives. It also optimized structural integrity, weight distribution, and flight dynamics, making the drone highly manoeuvrable and efficient for operational deployment. To enhance operator safety, a dual-safety mechanism has been incorporated into the payload system. This prevents accidental detonation during transport, handling, and flight, significantly increasing reliability and minimizing risks for pilots and personnel handling the drone. The trigger mechanism has been meticulously designed to align with the dual safety features, ensuring that the payload can only be armed and deployed under strictly controlled conditions. It is activated exclusively by the pilot via the radio controller, eliminating premature detonation and ensuring precise execution during missions. Additionally, a live feedback relay system provides the pilot with real-time payload status updates through the FPV goggles, enabling informed decision-making while flying the drone. The system underwent rigorous trials, beginning with explosive testing, followed by aerial vehicle assessments and trigger system evaluations. Each phase was validated by TBRL scientists, confirming the drone effectiveness, accuracy, and reliability in payload delivery. The successful results mark this first-of-its-kind FPV drone project as a game-changing force multiplier in modern tactical engagements.
