The government on Sunday announced the enactment of the Indian Ports Act, 2025, replacing the 117-year-old Indian Ports Act, 1908, with a modern framework aimed at strengthening governance, sustainability, and competitiveness across India’s maritime sector.
The new law introduces contemporary regulations that emphasize integrated port development, cooperative federalism, and global competitiveness. It seeks to unlock the full potential of India’s 7,500 km coastline while aligning domestic practices with international maritime standards.
A key provision is the statutory recognition of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC), which will serve as a consultative body between the Centre and coastal states. The Act also empowers State Maritime Boards to regulate non-major ports, overseeing planning, licensing, tariff regulation, safety, and environmental compliance.
The law mandates global green norms, disaster readiness, and pollution control measures in line with conventions such as MARPOL and Ballast Water Management. Ports must undergo audits for waste handling and emergency preparedness.
To improve ease of doing business, the Act streamlines procedures, mandates digitalisation of operations, and requires tariffs and charges to be published electronically. Tariff-setting powers are clearly divided between the Boards of Major Ports and State Maritime Boards for non-major ports.
For dispute resolution, states must establish Dispute Resolution Committees (DRCs), with appeals directed to the High Courts instead of civil courts. Arbitration and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms are also encouraged for faster settlements.
Additionally, the law enhances the role of the conservator, who will serve as the port officer with authority over vessel movement, fee recovery, disease control, and damage assessments.
Describing the reform as a “blueprint for transforming ports into engines of national progress,” the government said the Act anchors efficiency, sustainability, and inclusive growth at the heart of India’s port-led development.
As India pursues its Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, the Indian Ports Act, 2025, is expected to attract investment, enhance trade efficiency, and position the country as a global maritime leader.
