Modern laws for a stronger, unified maritime future.

Lok Sabha to Consider Indian Ports Bill 2025, Replacing 117-Year-Old Law

The Lok Sabha will take up the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, on Tuesday, aiming to replace the colonial-era Indian Ports Act, 1908, with a modern, consultative framework for port governance. The Bill promotes integrated planning and strategic development of all ports through a statutorily empowered Maritime States Development Council (MSDC), comprising representatives from the Centre and coastal states. While retaining port management with respective authorities, the Bill enables collaborative rule-making, transparent tariff publishing, and real-time data sharing. It also empowers State Maritime Boards for non-major ports, including dispute resolution and infrastructure planning. Provisions cover security clearances for ownership changes, norms for declaring mega ports, and criteria for new port development. This legislation aligns India’s port governance with global best practices, fostering cooperation, efficiency, and investment stability while enhancing national security and maritime competitiveness.