Vikiutq: New new info

2026-03-23T06:30:26Z

New new info

New page

{{Short description|Legislation in India}}{{Infobox legislation
| short_title = Indian Ports Act, 2025
| legislature = [[Parliament of India]]
| long_title = An Act 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; establish and empower State Maritime Boards for effective management of ports other than major ports; establish the Maritime State Development Council for fostering structured growth and 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; take measures for the conservation of ports; provide for adjudicatory mechanisms for the redressal of port-related disputes; and address matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
| autocollapse_long_title = true
| citation = [https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2025/265616.pdf No. 27 of 2025]
| enacted_by = [[Lok Sabha]]
| date_passed = 12 August 2025
| considered_by2 = [[Rajya Sabha]]
| date_passed2 = 18 August 2025
| assented_by = [[President of India|President]] [[Droupadi Murmu]]
| date_assented = 21 August 2025
| bill_history_url = https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-indian-ports-bill-2025
| bill = Indian Ports Bill, 2025
| bill_citation = [https://prsindia.org/files/bills_acts/bills_parliament/2025/Text_Indian_Ports_Bill_2025.pdf Bill No. 65 of 2025]
| introduced_by = [[Sarbananda Sonowal]], [[Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]]
| date_introduced = 28 March 2025
| passed = 12 August 2025
| passed2 = 18 August 2025
| repeals = Indian Ports Act, 1908 (15 of 1908)
| status = not yet in force
}}
The '''Indian Ports Act, 2025''' is an Act of the [[Parliament of India]] that replaced the colonial-era ''Indian Ports Act, 1908''. It provides a modern legal framework for port governance in India, promoting integrated development, environmental protection, and cooperative federalism between the Centre and States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-28 |title=Indian Ports Bill, 2025: Key provisions |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-indian-ports-bill-2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=PRS Legislative Research}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-07-29 |title=Lok Sabha to take up Indian Ports Bill as Modi govt moves to replace British-era law |url=https://infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/ports-shipping/lok-sabha-to-take-up-indian-ports-bill-on-tuesday-as-modi-govt-replaces-last-of-british-era-maritime-laws/123249012 |access-date=2025-08-12 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=www.ETInfra.com |title=Parliament passes Bill to consolidate law relating to ports, facilitate ease of doing business |url=https://infra.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/ports-shipping/parliament-passes-indian-ports-bill-2025-to-boost-maritime-development-and-business-efficiency/123365366 |access-date=2025-08-18 |website=ETInfra.com |language=en}}</ref>

== Background and Timeline ==

=== Background ===
The Act overhauls port sector regulation by repealing the ''Indian Ports Act, 1908'', which governed both major and non-major ports for over a century. It forms part of a broader maritime legislative reform in 2025, alongside the ''[[Merchant Shipping Act, 2025]]'' and the ''[[Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-05 |title=Indian Ports Bill, 2025 – Comprehensive overhaul of India's maritime framework |url=https://foxmandal.in/News/indian-ports-bill-2025-comprehensive-overhaul-of-indias-maritime-framework/ |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=Fox Mandal}}</ref>

The Act creates a statutory framework for coordination between the Centre and coastal States, addresses environmental obligations under international conventions such as [[MARPOL 73/78|MARPOL]], and introduces uniform tariff and safety standards across ports.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-28 |title=Indian Ports Bill, 2025 – Key highlights |url=https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=53187dc6-8c48-41d4-9ae2-b6fe7e3b8b4e |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=Lexology}}</ref>

=== Timeline ===
* 28 March 2025: The ''Indian Ports Bill, 2025'' was introduced in the Lok Sabha by the [[Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-07-28 |title=Indian Ports Bill, 2025 |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-indian-ports-bill-2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=PRS Legislative Research}}</ref>
* 12 August 2025: The ''Indian Ports Bill, 2025'' was passed by Lok Sabha.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-08-10 |title=Indian Ports Bill yet to be passed in Parliament |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/shipping-/-transport/indian-ports-bill-pending-in-parliament/articleshow/123250765.cms |access-date=2025-08-12 |work=The Economic Times}}</ref>

== Provisions ==

=== Maritime State Development Council ===
The Act establishes the '''Maritime State Development Council''' chaired by the [[Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways|Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways]], with membership including state ministers in charge of ports, naval and coast guard representatives, and senior officials. It advises on national port development plans, tariff transparency, and inter-state coordination.<ref name="PRS">{{Cite web |date=2025-07-28 |title=Indian Ports Bill, 2025 |url=https://prsindia.org/billtrack/the-indian-ports-bill-2025 |access-date=2025-08-12 |website=PRS Legislative Research}}</ref>

=== State Maritime Boards ===
Each coastal State must establish a '''State Maritime Board''' to manage non-major ports. These boards have statutory powers for development planning, licensing, supervision of port works, tariff-setting, and ensuring compliance with environmental and safety norms.<ref name="PRS" />

=== Dispute Resolution ===
The Act mandates the constitution of '''Dispute Resolution Committees''' in each State to adjudicate port-related disputes involving non-major ports, concessionaires, service providers, and users, with appeals lying to the relevant High Court.<ref name="PRS" />

=== Safety, Environment and Compliance ===
Ports must establish waste reception facilities, comply with the [[MARPOL 73/78|MARPOL Convention]] and the [[Ballast Water Management Convention]], prepare pollution control plans, and be subject to central audits. The Act prescribes penalties for safety violations, obstruction of navigation, and environmental damage.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-07-30 |title=Indian Ports Act emphasises environmental compliance |url=https://www.gktoday.in/indian-ports-bill-2025/ |access-date=2025-08-12 |work=GKToday}}</ref>

=== Tariff Regulation ===
Port tariffs for major ports are set by their respective Boards of Major Port Authorities or boards of directors (if corporatised), while State Maritime Boards or authorised concessionaires set tariffs for non-major ports. All tariffs must be published electronically.<ref name="PRS" />

== See also ==
* [[Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025]]
* [[Merchant Shipping Act, 2025]]
* [[Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Acts of the Parliament of India 2025]]
[[Category:Ports and harbours of India]]

Indian Ports Act, 2025 - Revision history

Vikiutq: New new info