Vidhi Codex

The Indian Ports Act, 2025

The Indian Ports Act, 2025

Infrastructure202587 sections11 chapters

The Indian Ports Act, 2025 regulates port operations, safety, security, environmental pollution, tariffs, and infrastructure development across India. It applies to all existing and new ports, maritime boards, concessionaires, operators, and non-military vessels using these facilities. Replacing a legacy 1908 law, this legislation matters because it modernizes maritime trade management. It establishes a national planning framework through a new Maritime State Development Council, mandates waste management to prevent pollution under international treaties, and introduces local dispute resolution panels. By streamlining governance and improving security, the law aims to boost port efficiency, protect the coastline, and enhance India's global trade competitiveness.

Start reading →Read full ActSections

Chapter I PRELIMINARY →

  1. 1Short title, commencement and application
  2. 2Definitions

Chapter II MARITIME STATE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL →

  1. 3Establishment of Council
  2. 4Powers of Chairperson
  3. 5Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Council
  4. 6Functions of Council
  5. 7Employees of Council
  6. 8Grants by Central Government
  7. 9Delegation of powers of Council

Chapter III PORT AND PORT LIMITS →

  1. 10Port operations
  2. 11Notification of new port and alteration of port limits
  3. 12Adherence to national perspective plan and guidelines issued by Council

Chapter IV STATE MARITIME BOARDS →

  1. 13Establishment of State Maritime Board
  2. 14Transfer of assets and liabilities, etc.
  3. 15Functions of State Maritime Board

Chapter V ADJUDICATION OF DISPUTES →

  1. 16Resolution of disputes
  2. 17Civil court not to have jurisdiction

Chapter VI PORT OFFICER →

  1. 18Appointment of conservator, harbour master and other port officers
  2. 19Powers of conservator to issue directions
  3. 20Removal of obstructions within port limits
  4. 21Power to specify restrictions on activities within port limits
  5. 22Fouling of moorings
  6. 23Power to board vessels and enter buildings
  7. 24Appointment and powers of health officer and prevention of contagious diseases
  8. 25Indemnity of Government against act or default of port officers or pilot

Chapter VII SAFETY AND CONSERVATION OF PORTS →

  1. 26Damage to property of port
  2. 27Warping
  3. 28Master to take order to extinguish fire
  4. 29Offences in connection with safety of vessels, etc.
  5. 30Unauthorised person not to search for lost stores
  6. 31Injuring banks or shores of port prohibited
  7. 32Moving of vessels without pilot or permission of harbour master or port officer
  8. 33Port officer to co-operate in manoeuvres for defence of port
  9. 34Authority and Director-General to regulate certain activities

Chapter VIII PREVENTION, CONTAINMENT OF POLLUTION AND RESPONSE →

  1. 35Definitions
  2. 36Reception facilities
  3. 37Direction to provide adequate reception facilities
  4. 38Port waste reception and handling plans
  5. 39Advance waste notice
  6. 40Delivery of vessel-generated waste
  7. 41Charges for vessel-generated waste
  8. 42Audit of ports
  9. 43Maintenance of information on portal
  10. 44Measures for prevention or containment of pollution
  11. 45Directions for securing compliance

Chapter IX LEVY OF FEES AND OTHER CHARGES →

  1. 46Levy of fees and other charges
  2. 47Port tariff
  3. 48Receipt of fees or other charges
  4. 49Owner, agent or master to report arrival
  5. 50Detention and sale on refusal to pay fees or other charges
  6. 51Grant of port-clearance
  7. 52Master not to evade payment of fees or other charges

Chapter X PENALTIES AND PROCEDURES →

  1. 53Offences and penalties
  2. 53ACompounding of certain offences.
  3. 54Authority for imposition of penalty and procedure therefor
  4. 55Cognizance of offences
  5. 56Penalty for wilful failure to comply with orders of Dispute Resolution Committee
  6. 57Penalty for failure to furnish information, etc.
  7. 58Recovery of fine or penalty
  8. 59Recovery of expenses and damages
  9. 60Cost of distress
  10. 61Magistrate to determine amount to be levied in case of dispute
  11. 62Place of trial and jurisdiction
  12. 63Offences by companies

Chapter XI MISCELLANEOUS →

  1. 64Service of documents
  2. 65Hoisting unlawful colours in port
  3. 66Emergency preparedness and response plan
  4. 67Reporting of incident
  5. 68Shore based welfare services for seafarers
  6. 69Port community system and vessel traffic service
  7. 70Order for securing compliance
  8. 71Prior clearance
  9. 72Obligations of ports under international conventions
  10. 73Notification of mega port
  11. 74Chairperson, members, officers and employees of Council, etc., to be public servants
  12. 75Application of certain laws
  13. 76Power of Central Government to make rules
  14. 77Power of State Government to make rules
  15. 78Power of Central Government to make rules in consultation with State Governments
  16. 79Power of Council to make regulations
  17. 80Power of Council to issue guidelines
  18. 81Laying of rules and regulations before Parliament and State Legislature
  19. 82Protection of action taken in good faith
  20. 83Power to amend Second Schedule
  21. 84Power to remove difficulties
  22. 85Repeal and savings

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