Context:

The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 was recently passed by Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha approving it on August 18, 2025, following Lok Sabha's clearance on August 12, 2025. This reform-oriented legislation seeks to modernize India’s maritime governance by replacing the Indian Ports Act of 1908, a colonial-era law.

Objectives of the bill:

The Bill introduces a contemporary legal framework to enhance ease of doing business, promote integrated port development, and ensure the efficient use of India’s 11,098 km coastline. It aims to streamline port regulation, planning, and development, especially for non-major ports managed by states.

Key Features of the Bill:

The Indian Ports Bill, 2025, establishes the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) as a statutory consultative body to coordinate between the Centre and coastal States. The MSDC will prepare a National Perspective Plan to ensure integrated port development.

• Coastal States will be empowered to set up State Maritime Boards, bringing uniform and transparent governance across India’s 12 major and 200+ non-major ports. The Bill also creates Dispute Resolution Committees to deliver sector-specific redressal in a timely manner.
• The legislation mandates compliance with international environmental conventions such as MARPOL and Ballast Water Management, while requiring ports to maintain emergency preparedness systems.
•  Digitalisation is a central plank with measures such as a Maritime Single Window and advanced vessel traffic systems will enhance efficiency, reduce bottlenecks and cut costs.

About India’s port economy:

India’s port economy is a cornerstone of its economic landscape, playing a vital role in enabling global trade and driving domestic growth.

·        With a 11,098 km coastline, 13 major ports, and 200+ non-major ports, India’s maritime network facilitates 95% of trade by volume and 70% by value.

·        Ports serve as critical gateways that link India to global markets, making them integral to national development and international competitiveness.

Government Initiatives:

To harness the potential of its vast coastline, the government has launched initiatives like the Sagarmala Project to boost port-led development, improve logistics, and enhance multimodal connectivity.

·        There's a strong emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPPs) to attract investment, modernize infrastructure, and improve cargo handling efficiency.

·        Additionally, India is embracing digital transformation through technologies like AI, IoT, and blockchain to make port operations smarter and faster.

Challenges:

Despite advancements, India’s port sector faces several challenges. Many ports suffer from inadequate depth, aging infrastructure, and logistics bottlenecks, impacting cargo movement and turnaround times.

·        There's also a need for a skilled maritime workforce to manage evolving technologies.

·        Enhancing port competitiveness, especially for transshipment traffic, is essential to compete with global hubs like Singapore and Colombo.

Conclusion

The Indian Ports Bill, 2025 is a significant step toward modernizing India’s port sector. it is expected to unlock maritime potential, strengthen coastal economic development, and position India as a global maritime leader.