Current Affairs

21st Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) meets in Mumbai

14-10-2026 · English

21st Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) meets in Mumbai

Topics: Infrastructure · 14 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

The 21st Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) meeting, chaired by Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, concluded in Mumbai on 13 Oct 2026. It was the first since MSDC became a statutory body under the Indian Ports Act 2025. Targets were set for all ports to adopt 'One Nation One Port Process' (ONOP) reforms and join the 'Sagar Setu' maritime single window by March 2027, and electronic publication of port tariffs was made mandatory.

Key facts

Meeting21st MSDC – Mumbai, concluded 13 Oct 2026; chaired by Sarbananda Sonowal
SignificanceFirst meeting since becoming a statutory consultative body under the Indian Ports Act 2025
DecisionsONOP reforms and 'Sagar Setu' onboarding by March 2027; port master plans for non-major ports; mandatory e-publication of tariffs
ShipbuildingTwo credit-risk insurance products – ECGC (export), New India Assurance (domestic)
TN presenceTamil Nadu Maritime Board; Chennai and Kamarajar port chairpersons

Background

  • MSDC – the apex advisory body for the maritime sector, set up in 1997; chaired by the Union Ports Minister; members include maritime States' ministers, the Navy and the Coast Guard. The 20th meeting was in Goa (Sept 2024).
  • Laws: the Indian Ports Act 2025 (assented Aug 2025) replaced the Indian Ports Act 1908. The Major Port Authorities Act 2021 replaced the Major Port Trusts Act 1963. Major ports are on the Union List; other ports on the Concurrent List.
  • Visions: Maritime India Vision 2030 (2021); Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 (2023); Sagarmala (2015).

Tamil Nadu link: Tamil Nadu has 3 major ports – Chennai, Kamarajar (Ennore) and V.O. Chidambaranar (Thoothukudi). Kamarajar was India's first corporatised major port. Non-major ports are run by the Tamil Nadu Maritime Board (1997).

Source: ANI, Maritime Gateway, India Shipping News, The Week, 13–14 Oct 2026; PIB (20th MSDC)

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