What happened
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has highlighted a set of maritime laws enacted between 2021 and 2025 for the holistic development of India’s maritime sector. The list includes the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025, the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, the Indian Ports Act, 2025, the Bills of Lading Act, 2025, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025, the Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021, the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, and the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021.
The most specific change flagged in the release is the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, which was enacted to consolidate and modernize the legal framework governing coastal shipping.
Why the legislative package matters
India’s maritime sector depends on predictable rules for shipping, port operations, vessel regulation, navigation safety, and cargo documentation. A consolidated legal framework can support logistics efficiency, regulatory clarity, and broader port-led development, all of which are recurring themes in GS3.
Key facts for Prelims
Related current affairs
- Budget 2026-27 announced a scheme for container manufacturing in India with Rs. 10,000 crore outlay
- Union Budget 2026: Coastal Cargo Promotion Scheme to double share of coastal shipping & inland waterways by 2047
- Policy and regulatory measures to promote inland waterways, coastal shipping and multimodal logistics
- Four-pillar strategy and Rs. 69,725 crore package to revitalize shipping and shipbuilding; skilling, financing, shipyard development and reforms
- Performance improvements in port sector KPIs over the last decade (MIV 2030)
- Coastal shipping promotion, maritime digital/regulatory reforms and skill development in ports/shipping/waterways