The Rajya Sabha has passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, introducing landmark reforms to revolutionize India’s maritime governance. Introduced by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the Bill aims to unleash the full potential of the maritime sector by enhancing coordination between the Centre and States.

A key highlight of the legislation is the creation of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC), a statutory body responsible for preparing a National Perspective Plan for integrated port development. The Bill also empowers coastal states to establish State Maritime Boards, ensuring uniform governance across more than 200 non-major ports and 12 major ports in India.

Other notable reforms include setting up Dispute Resolution Committees, enforcing mandatory compliance with international environmental conventions such as MARPOL and Ballast Water Management, and promoting digitalization through initiatives like the Maritime Single Window and advanced vessel traffic systems.

Over the last decade, India’s maritime sector has witnessed exponential growth, with cargo handling rising from 581 million tonnes in FY 2014–15 to 855 million tonnes in FY 2024–25. Additionally, ship turnaround time has been halved to 48 hours, and nine Indian ports now rank among the world’s best in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index.

Union Minister Sonowal described the Bill as a “milestone reform” aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047. The legislation, awaiting Presidential assent, is expected to boost trade competitiveness, attract private investment, create jobs, and promote sustainability in the maritime sector.