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                                                       Key Takeaways

• The Indian Ports Act, 2025 replaces outdated provisions of the Indian Ports Act, 1908, with modern & contemporary regulations.
• The Act establishes Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) as a statutory consultative body to coordinate between Centre and coastal States.
• The legislation mandates Global Green Norms, Disaster Readiness for Indian Ports.
• It simplifies port procedures & digitalise operations to enhance Ease of Doing Business (EODB).

Ports have long served as the silent engines of India's economic momentum. As India grows, the strategic relevance of its maritime infrastructure has never been greater. Beyond logistics, ports are catalysts for industrial corridors, employment generation, and urban renewal.

The Indian Ports Act, 2025 passed by Parliament in August, 2025 marks a transformative milestone in India’s maritime governance - replacing the century-old Indian Ports Act of 1908 with a forward-looking, integrated framework tailored to the demands of a modern economy. The legislation reflects the Government's vision to position ports not merely as transit

Ports play a vital role in India’s development by facilitating trade, supporting industrial growth, and enabling regional connectivity. They serve as strategic gateways for imports and exports, contributing significantly to national logistics and supply chains. The Ports in the country handle around 95% of EXIM Cargo by volume and 70% by value. India hosts 12 major ports and 200+ non-major (minor) ports across its coastline. The major ports operate under the administrative purview of the Ministry of Shipping, while non-major ports fall under the jurisdiction of respective State

Key Anchors of the Indian Ports Act, 2025

PORT OFFICERS

• The Act designates the conservator - appointed by the government - as the port officer, with authority over other officers. The conservator retains powers over vessel movement within port limits and fee recovery, and adds new responsibilities for disease control, damage assessment, and penalty adjudication.

STATUTORY BODIES

• • State Maritime Boards: The Act formally recognizes State Maritime Boards established by coastal states and empowers them to manage non-major ports. These Boards will oversee port planning, infrastructure development, licensing, tariff regulation, and enforcement of safety, security, and environmental compliances.
  • Maritime State Development Council: The Act grants statutory status to the Maritime State Development Council. The Council will guide data collection and dissemination and transparency across ports, and advise the central government on national planning, legislative reforms, port efficiency, and connectivity.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION MECHANISM

• State governments must set up Dispute Resolution Committees (DRCs) to resolve conflicts among non-major ports, concessionaires, users, and service providers. Appeals go to the High Court, not civil courts. The Boards may also allow arbitration or other alternative dispute resolution methods. This will benefit the speedy dispute resolution.

TARIFF REGULATION

• Tariffs at major ports will be determined either by the Board of the Major Port Authority or by the Board of Directors if the port operates as a registered company. For non-major ports, tariff-setting authority rests with the State Maritime Board or its designated concessionaire. Further, the Indian Port Act 2025 requires tariffs and charges to be published electronically for transparency.

SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY

• The Act upholds penalties for safety violations like damaging buoys or mishandling combustibles on board. It strengthens environmental protections by aligning with global conventions (MARPOL, Ballast Water Management) and introducing new mandates for pollution control and disaster readiness. Central government will conduct audits to ensure compliance with waste handling and emergency response plans.

Consolidation & Development

• Unifies and updates laws related to ports across India.
• Promotes integrated and strategic development of ports nationwide.
• Enhances ease of doing business in the maritime sector.
• Ensures optimal use of India’s extensive coastline.

Institutional Strengthening

• • Establishes and empowers State Maritime Boards to manage non-major ports effectively.
  • Sets up the Maritime State Development Council to guide structured growth and coordination across states.

Safety, Sustainability & Compliance

• Provides frameworks for managing:

• Pollution control
• Disaster response and emergency preparedness
• Port security and safety
• Navigation systems and port-related data

• Ensures India meets its commitments under relevant international maritime agreements.

Environmental Conservation

• Introduces measures to protect and conserve port ecosystems and infrastructure.

Dispute Resolution

• Creates adjudicatory mechanisms for resolving port-related disputes efficiently and transparently.