The 21st Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) meeting took place in Mumbai, yielding significant advancements for India’s maritime industry. A key resolution was the implementation of the One Nation One Port Process (ONOP) reforms, which includes initiatives such as One Nation One Documentation and Port Process Re-engineering, set to be executed across all ports by March 2027. The Council also mandated that all ports integrate with the Maritime Single Window (MSW-Sagar Setu) by this deadline, promoting a unified digital process nationwide.
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal introduced the ‘Ready Reckoner for Implementing ONOP,’ a detailed guide designed to aid major and non-major ports in the uniform application of these reforms. This meeting marked the first gathering of the MSDC since its establishment as a statutory consultative body under the Indian Ports Act, 2025. It brought together key stakeholders, including Ministers from Coastal States and representatives from various maritime institutions.
During the discussions, the Council adopted the Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, outlining over 500 initiatives across various maritime sectors. Sonowal emphasized the importance of cooperative federalism in maritime governance, stating that these resolutions would enhance India’s competitiveness in the global maritime arena. The Council also prioritized projects aimed at improving port connectivity, shipbuilding, and cruise shipping infrastructure, alongside introducing specialized credit risk insurance products to bolster the shipbuilding industry.
