Government accelerates implementation of new maritime laws through comprehensive rule-making and stakeholder consultations
NEW DELHI : In a significant step towards strengthening India’s maritime regulatory framework, the Government has initiated an extensive rule-making and institutional preparedness exercise to ensure the timely and effective implementation of the newly enacted maritime legislations — the Coastal Shipping Act 2025, Merchant Shipping Act 2025, and Indian Ports Act 2025.
The rule-making process has been undertaken through a structured and inclusive consultative approach, ensuring active participation of all key stakeholders at the drafting stage itself.
Robust Institutional and Capacity-Building Measures
To facilitate smooth implementation, the following measures have been undertaken:
Fourteen (14) Technical Committees comprising Nodal Officers from the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) and industry experts have been constituted for drafting rules under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025 and the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025.
Twelve (12) Committees are currently finalising draft rules under the Merchant Shipping Act, 2025.
Two (02) Committees have been tasked with drafting rules under the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025.
Four (04) Consultative Meetings were conducted with stakeholders for rule-making under the Indian Ports Act, 2025.
Legal consultants have been engaged to ensure clarity and simplicity in the drafting of rules.
A dedicated Legal Vertical has been established within the Directorate General of Shipping to streamline legal processes and support timely implementation.
Extensive Stakeholder Consultations
The rule-making exercise has involved wide-ranging consultations with major maritime stakeholders, including:
Shipowners and Operators
Seafarers’ Associations
Maritime Training & Education Institutions
Classification Societies
Ports and State Maritime Boards
Ship Management and Offshore Services
Coastal, Inland and Sailing Vessel Sector Associations
Legal Experts and Government Departments
The Draft Merchant Shipping Rules were placed on the DGS website on 12.12.2025 and subsequently on the Ministry’s website on 24.12.2025, 26.12.2025, and 22.01.2026 for public and stakeholder comments.
In compliance with Section 39(1) of the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025, the Draft Coastal Shipping (Licensing of Foreign Vessels) Rules, 2026 and Draft Coastal Shipping (Strategy and National Database) Rules, 2026 were published in the Gazette of India on 19.12.2025, inviting suggestions and observations. These drafts were also uploaded on the Ministry’s website on 26.12.2025 for public consultation.
Further, Draft Indian Ports Rules under Sections 76 and 78 of the Indian Ports Act, 2025 were published in the Gazette of India on 23.01.2026. The Ministry engaged with Major Port Authorities, State Maritime Boards, and industry bodies during the drafting process.
Acts Brought into Force
As no rules were required under the Bills of Lading Act, 2025 and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 2025, both Acts have come into force with effect from 10 September 2025.
Continuous Review Mechanism
The Government reiterated that the review of maritime laws and rules remains a continuous and dynamic process. Amendments and refinements are undertaken based on stakeholder inputs, complaints, research findings, and expert recommendations to ensure that India’s maritime legal framework remains responsive, transparent, and globally competitive.
