Rajya Sabha Clears Indian Ports Bill, 2025: A Historic Reform for Maritime Growth

In a landmark decision that marks the end of more than a century of colonial-era legislation, the Rajya Sabha today passed the Indian Ports Bill, 2025, paving the way for a modern, globally aligned framework to govern India’s maritime sector. The bill, introduced by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, seeks to replace the outdated Indian Ports Act, 1908, and has already been approved by the Lok Sabha. It will now be sent for Presidential assent before becoming law.

Shri Sonowal hailed the reform as “a milestone in unlocking India’s maritime potential”, stressing that ports are no longer just trade gateways but vital engines for economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development. He emphasized that the bill reflects the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has consistently championed modern, internationally aligned policies to drive India’s rise as a maritime power.

A Decade of Transformation in the Maritime Sector

India’s port and shipping industry has undergone sweeping changes in the past decade. Cargo handling at major ports rose from 581 million tonnes in FY 2014–15 to a record 855 million tonnes in FY 2024–25. Port capacity increased by 87 percent, while the average turnaround time for ships was cut by half to 48 hours, bringing Indian ports on par with leading global facilities.

Coastal shipping has also flourished, with volumes more than doubling (118 percent increase) in 10 years. Cargo movement on inland waterways surged nearly sevenfold, making India one of the fastest-growing nations in multimodal transport efficiency.

The country’s growing profile is reflected in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index, where nine Indian ports now feature prominently, signaling international recognition. Yet, despite these achievements, industry experts long argued that an overhaul of the colonial-era legal framework was urgently needed to sustain momentum and attract global investment.

Key Features of the Indian Ports Bill, 2025

The new legislation introduces several pioneering measures:

• Maritime State Development Council (MSDC): Established as a statutory consultative body to coordinate Centre–State strategies, it will prepare a National Perspective Plan for integrated port development.

• State Maritime Boards: Coastal States will have the authority to set up boards for transparent and uniform governance of over 200 non-major ports alongside the country’s 12 major ports.

• Dispute Resolution Committees: Specialized redressal bodies will handle sector-specific disputes efficiently, ensuring faster resolution for investors and operators.

• Environmental Safeguards: Compliance with international conventions like MARPOL and Ballast Water Management will be mandatory, with ports required to maintain robust emergency preparedness systems.

• Digital Transformation: Adoption of a Maritime Single Window, advanced vessel traffic management systems, and paperless documentation will reduce costs, cut delays, and improve efficiency.

India’s Global Maritime Ambitions

With this legislation, India aligns itself with the governance standards of leading maritime nations such as Singapore, the United States, South Africa, and EU member states. Shri Sonowal underscored that the Bill represents not just efficiency but also a deeper federal partnership, ensuring that the Centre and States collaborate effectively in port-led development.

He highlighted that under PM Modi’s leadership, India is moving decisively toward the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047”, where the maritime sector will serve as a strategic driver of national prosperity and a key pillar of India’s role in the Indo-Pacific region.

Toward Viksit Bharat, 2047

The Indian Ports Bill, 2025, is being hailed as one of the most significant structural reforms since independence for the maritime sector. Officials say it will:

• Enhance India’s trade competitiveness by making ports globally efficient.

• Boost private sector investment and strengthen foreign investor confidence.

• Create new employment opportunities across coastal and inland regions.

• Promote green shipping and sustainability, embedding environmental responsibility into port operations.

As India celebrates this reform, experts believe the legislation will firmly anchor the nation’s ambition of becoming a maritime leader in the Indo-Pacific, advancing its journey toward becoming a developed nation by 2047.