About Maritime State Development Council:
- It is an apex advisory body which was constituted in 1997 for the development of the Maritime sector.
- The Indian Ports Act, 2025 grants statutory status to the Maritime State Development Council.
- Aim: Its primary aim is to promote the integrated growth of Major and Non-Major ports in close coordination with State governments.
- Composition:
- The Council, chaired by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.
- It 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.
- Functions:
- It monitors the development of minor ports, captive ports and private ports in the Maritime States with a view to ensure their integrated development with Major Ports and to assess the requirements of other infrastructure requirements like roads/rail/IWT and make suitable recommendations to the concerned Ministers.
- The Council guide data collection and dissemination and transparency across ports, and advise the central government on national planning, legislative reforms, port efficiency, and connectivity.
