The Indian Ports Act, 2025 marks a landmark reform in India’s maritime sector, replacing outdated frameworks with a modern, integrated, and sustainable regulatory structure. Enacted on 21st August 2025, the Act aims to streamline port governance, promote ease of doing business, enhance environmental safeguards, and strengthen India’s position as a global maritime hub.
The Act seeks to modernize and unify the laws governing ports across India, promoting integrated port-led development to enhance trade and logistics. It aims to establish efficient governance mechanisms for both major and non-major ports, ensuring streamlined operations and management. Additionally, the Act focuses on strengthening maritime safety, security, and environmental sustainability. It also emphasizes the importance of compliance with international maritime conventions and obligations, aligning India’s port regulations with global standards.
Key Features
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Wider Applicability
- Covers all existing and newly notified ports, navigable rivers, and channels.
- Excludes defence-related ports, government-owned vessels, and foreign warships.
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State Maritime Boards
- Mandates the establishment of a State Maritime Board in every coastal state within six (6) months.
- Core functions include:
- Developing and managing non-major ports.
- Fixing tariffs and regulating infrastructure projects.
- Ensuring environmental protection and sustainable development.
- Enables decentralized decision-making while aligning with national priorities.
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Maritime State Development Council
- A central policy-making body chaired by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
- Members include ministers from all coastal states and union territories.
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Responsibilities:
- Developing a Comprehensive National Perspective Plan for Port Infrastructure and Growth.
- Standardizing policies across states.
- Strengthening Multimodal Port Connectivity through Road, Rail, Waterways, and Pipelines.
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Pollution Control and Waste Management
- Aligns with global conventions, including:
- MARPOL — Marine Pollution Prevention Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Ballast Water Management Convention.
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Provisions include:
- Mandatory reception facilities for ship-generated waste.
- Advance waste declarations by vessels.
- Pollution audits and stringent penalties for violations.
- Formulation of waste reception and handling plans at every port.
- Aligns with global conventions, including:
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Disaster Preparedness and Security
- Ports must develop emergency response plans for:
- Natural disasters.
- Oil spills and marine pollution.
- Fire and other industrial hazards.
- National security threats.
- Regular audits ensure effective implementation and compliance.
- Ports must develop emergency response plans for:
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Dispute Resolution Mechanism
- Establishes State-level Dispute Resolution Committees to handle:
- Conflicts between ports, concessionaires, users, and service providers.
- Mandates resolution within six months, ensuring speed and efficiency.
- Appeals can be escalated to the respective High Courts.
- Establishes State-level Dispute Resolution Committees to handle:
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Digital Integration
- Advancing the Port Community System (PCS) — a unified digital platform enabling seamless integration:
- Vessel traffic management.
- Trade-related data exchange.
- Real-time monitoring of port operations.
- Ensures transparency, efficiency, and interoperability across ports.
- Advancing the Port Community System (PCS) — a unified digital platform enabling seamless integration:
- A Quick Comparison: Then vs. Now
| Feature | Indian Ports Act, 1908 | Indian Ports Act,2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Governance | Highly centralized and based on an outdated framework with limited state involvement. | Decentralized and modernized governance with an active role for State Maritime Boards (SMBs), ensuring better local decision-making. |
| Port Types | Recognized only Major and Non-Major Ports. | Introduces an additional classification — Mega Ports, enabling focused development of high-capacity maritime hubs. |
| Environmental Rules | Contained minimal provisions for pollution control or sustainability. | Implements strict environmental safeguards, including mandatory audits, waste reception facilities, and alignment with MARPOL and other international standards. |
| Security Measures | Basic and outdated, limited to physical safety. | Ensures advanced security frameworks, covering physical, digital, and cyber threats, integrating ports with national defence and Coast Guard systems. |
| International Alignment | No direct alignment with global maritime conventions. | Fully aligned with key international frameworks, including:
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Enforcement, Penalties & Legal Process
The Act includes clear enforcement provisions to uphold safety, compliance, and financial accountability.
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Fire Safety on Vessels (Section 45)
If a fire occurs on a vessel in port and the master wilfully neglects to extinguish it or obstructs authorities, the face:- Up to 6 months imprisonment, or
- A fine up to ₹1,000, or
- Both.
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Evading Port Charges (Section 46)
Masters who evade payment of port dues can be fined up to five times the amount owed. A certificate from the port authority acts as prima facie evidence of evasion, unless the master proves legitimate reasons like bad weather. Such cases can be prosecuted in any port jurisdiction where the vessel is found. -
Pilot Violations (Section 53)
Pilots disobeying rules or abetting disobedience face fines up to ₹500 per offense and risk losing their license. -
Disobeying Government Rules (Section 54)
Any violation of government orders under the Act without specified penalties attracts fines up to ₹100. -
Legal Process and Recovery (Sections 55–57)
- All offences are tried by a Magistrate who can order fines recovered by seizure and sale of the vessel’s equipment if necessary.
- Courts may mandate that offenders cover the expenses of conviction alongside applicable fines.
- Disputes over expenses or damages up to ₹1,000 can be settled by Magistrates upon application.
Alignment with International Standards
By integrating global maritime norms, the Act:
- Strengthens India’s maritime security architecture.
- Encourages the adoption of sustainable practices in shipping and port operations.
- Enhances India’s standing in international trade and logistics networks.
Expected Impact
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Economic Growth
- Facilitates ease of doing business by streamlining procedures.
- Encourages public-private partnerships and infrastructure investments.
- Reduces logistics costs, boosting India’s competitiveness in global trade.
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Environmental Sustainability
- Enforces strict measures to prevent marine pollution.
- Facilitating the Growth of Green and Digitally-Enabled Port Infrastructure.
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Strengthened Security
- Integrates ports with national defence mechanisms.
- Enhancing Inter-Agency Coordination among Ports, the Indian Navy, and the Coast Guard.
Conclusion
The Indian Ports Act, 2025 represents a paradigm shift in India’s maritime governance. By introducing a structured regulatory framework, empowering states, and ensuring environmental and security safeguards, the Act lays the foundation for India’s emergence as a leading global maritime hub.
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. The content of this article is not intended to create and receipt of it does not constitute any relationship. Readers should not act upon this information without seeking professional legal counsel.
