Maritime State Development Council: 21st meeting held in Mumbai
Why in the news
The 21st meeting of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) concluded in Mumbai on 13 October 2026 under the chairmanship of Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. It was the council’s first meeting as a statutory body.
Key facts
- Statutory status: The MSDC is now a statutory consultative body under the Indian Ports Act, 2025, which was notified on 15 May 2026.
- Section 77: All states and Union Territories have to notify subordinate rules under this section within three months.
- ONOP: The One Nation One Port Process covers One Nation One Documentation, port process re-engineering and inter-ministerial reforms; it must be in place at all ports by March 2027.
- Ready Reckoner: Sonowal released a Ready Reckoner on ONOP for Major Ports and Other Than Major Ports.
- Sagar Setu: Every port must join the Maritime Single Window by March 2027.
- Visions adopted: Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which together list more than 500 initiatives.
- Ports must publish their tariffs electronically; draft MSDC Regulations were approved.
Shipbuilding credit risk insurance
| Product | Insurer | Covers |
|---|---|---|
| Shipbuilding Project Credit Risk Insurance Policy (SbPCP) | ECGC Ltd | Export projects |
| Business Credit Shield Policy – Shipbuilders (BCSPS) | New India Assurance Co. Ltd | Domestic projects |
Both come under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme. The Centre will subsidise the premium and support insurers when shipyards make claims.
About MSDC
The MSDC was first set up in 1997 to bring the Centre and coastal states together on port development. Its wider mandate now covers integrated maritime growth, coordinated policy and planned infrastructure.
Exam angle
- MSDC set up: 1997; statutory under Indian Ports Act, 2025.
- Sagar Setu = Maritime Single Window.
- SbPCP (ECGC, export) vs BCSPS (New India Assurance, domestic).