LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE INDIAN PORTS SECTOR

The role that the port industry plays in the Indian economy is quite vital, as it handles most of the international as well as internal trade. Keeping in view the port industry’s position, the regulations associated with it are governed, depending upon the division of powers provided under the Constitution. The following blog is about the laws associated with the port industry, mainly focusing on two laws, the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, and the Indian Ports Act, 1908. The blog also discusses the change from the traditional governance structure of major ports towards commercially oriented landlord port governance. The regulations associated with non-major ports, the weaknesses of the old regulations, how state laws regulate them, and the need for the new regulations are also considered.