Docking into the Future: Indian Ports Bill, 2025, Brings a New Wave of Reforms

On March 28, 2025, Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, presented the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, in Lok Sabha by explaining how the bill is aimed at an amalgamation of existing laws with regards to ports and for promotion of the integrated development of ports in our country as a whole.  The objective of the bill is to enhance the ease of doing business and to promote the best use of our coastline, by proposing the establishment of State Maritime Boards to take effective actions in relation to the management of non-major ports in our country.

 

The bill also aims to create the Maritime State Development Council for the organized development of the port sector. The bill touches on many important issues such as pollution control, disaster, safety, security and navigation, and compliance with global maritime obligations. In addition, Minister Sonowal is set to present another important piece of legistation, The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, to establish the duties and liability of the carrier pursuant to goods transported by sea.

 

With the introduction of these two bills, we are making great progress towards the modernization of the port infrastructure and regulatory regime in our country.

 

Source: The Economic Times