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21st Maritime State Development Council Meeting Concludes
The 21st Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) meeting concludes in Mumbai. The meeting is reported in the context of outcomes for India’s maritime sector and reiterates the MSDC’s role as an apex advisory body.
Maritime State Development Council:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Constitution | The MSDC has been constituted in May 1997. |
| Legal basis | The Indian Ports Act, 2025 grants statutory status to the MSDC. |
| Primary aim | The MSDC provides for promoting integrated growth of Major and Non-Major ports in close coordination with State governments. |
| Chair | The MSDC is chaired by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways. |
| Composition | The MSDC comprises Ministers responsible for ports from all Maritime States, Administrators of UTs, and key stakeholders, including representatives from the Navy, Coast Guard, and other agencies. |
| Monitoring function | The MSDC monitors the development of minor ports, captive ports, and private ports in Maritime States to ensure integrated development with Major Ports and to assess requirements for roads, rail, and IWT, and provides for making suitable recommendations to the concerned Ministers. |
| Advisory functions | The MSDC guides data collection, dissemination, and transparency across ports, and advises the central government on national planning, legislative reforms, port efficiency, and connectivity. |