The Major Port Authorities Act, 2021
An Act to provide for regulation, operation and planning of Major Ports in India and to vest the administration, control and management of such ports upon the Boards of Major Port Authorities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto
Administered by. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways · Other Acts of 2021
Preamble
THE MAJOR PORT AUTHORITIES ACT, 2021
ACT NO. 1 OF 2021
[17th February, 2021.] An Act to provide for regulation, operation and planning of Major Ports in India and to vest the administration, control and management of such ports upon the Boards of Major Port Authorities and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
BE it enacted by Parliament in the Seventy-Second Year of the Republic of India as follows:--
What this Act covers
Summary of The Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 2021
1. Governance & Key Provisions
• Authority: Central Government oversees aids to navigation, with powers to designate, inspect, and control.
• Director General of Aids to Navigation: Appointed for operational oversight.
2. Management of Aids to Navigation
• General Aids: Vest in the Central Government.
• Local Aids: Subject to Central Government inspection (Section 14) and potential control (Section 15).
• Heritage Lighthouses: Specifically designated and protected.
3. Offences & Penalties
• Obstruction/Damage: Penalties include imprisonment (up to 12 months) and fines (up to ₹5 lakh).
• Non-Compliance: Fines for evasion of dues (up to 5 times payable amount) and non-compliance with directions (up to ₹1 lakh).
• Vessel Non-Compliance: Penalties for unsafe navigation, pollution, and lack of safety appliances (fines up to ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh, and imprisonment in some cases).
4. Financial & Regulatory Provisions
• Marine Aids to Navigation Dues: Levied for maintenance and development.
• Rule Making Authority: Central Government empowered to make rules for the Act’s implementation.
5. Enforcement & Jurisdiction
• Trial & Jurisdiction: Specified courts handle offences, with cognizance only upon complaint by authorised officers.
• Good Faith Protection: For actions taken under the Act.
Overall Purpose Ensures safe, efficient navigation through comprehensive management of aids to navigation, with clear governance, financial, and penal structures, aligning with international maritime standards.
Sections
Type to filter. 76 sections.
- 1Short title, commencement and application
- 2Definitions
- 3Constitution and composition of Board of Major Port Authority
- 4Qualifications of Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Members of Board
- 5Disqualification of Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Member from office in certain circumstances
- 6Term of office of Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Members
- 7Disclosure of interest
- 8Resignation of Members
- 9Removal from office of Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Members
- 10Filling of casual vacancies
- 11Honorarium payable to Independent Members
- 12Powers and duties of Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson and Members
- 13Meetings of Board
- 14Committees of Board
- 15Delegation of powers
- 16Restriction of re-employment
- 17Vacancies, etc., not to invalidate proceedings of Board
- 18Power to make appointments
- 19Authentication of orders and other instruments of Board
- 20List of staff of Board
- 21Board to be deemed as successor of Board of Trustees of Major Port
- 22Usage of port assets by Board
- 23Procedure when immovable property cannot be acquired by agreement
- 24Contracts by Board
- 25Master Plan
- 26Powers of Board in respect of planning and development
- 27Scale of rates for assets and services available at Major Port
- 28Board's lien for rates
- 29Ship-owner's lien for freight and other charges
- 30Sale of goods and application of sale proceeds in certain cases
- 31Recovery of rates and charges by distraint of vessel
- 32Application to Adjudicatory Board
- 33Power to raise loans and issue securities
- 34Endorsements to be made on security itself
- 35Endorser of security not liable for amount thereof
- 36Recognition as holder of port securities in certain cases and legal effect thereof
- 37Discharge in certain cases
- 38Security for loans taken out by Boards of Major Port Authorities
- 39Power of Board to repay loans to Government before due date
- 40Establishment and application of sinking fund
- 41Existing loans and securities to continue
- 42General accounts of Board
- 43Application of money in general accounts
- 44Accounts and audit
- 45Administration report
- 46Power of Central Government to order survey or examination of works of Board
- 47Power of Central Government to restore or complete works at cost of Board
- 48Power of Central Government to take over management of Board
- 49Laying of report
- 50Power of Central Government to exempt from obligation to use port assets
- 51Board not to sell, alienate or divest its assets, properties, rights, powers and authorisations without sanction of Central Government
- 52Remedies of Government in respect of loans made to Board
- 53Power of Central Government to issue directions
- 54Constitution of Adjudicatory Board
- 55Composition of Adjudicatory Board
- 56Qualifications, terms and conditions of service of Presiding Officer and members of Adjudicatory Board
- 57Removal and suspension of Presiding Officer and members of Adjudicatory Board
- 58Powers and functions of Adjudicatory Board
- 59Bar of jurisdiction of any court
- 60Review and appeal
- 61Officers and employees of Adjudicatory Board
- 62General provision for punishment of offences
- 63Offences by companies
- 64Cognizance of offences
- 65Protection of action taken in good faith
- 66Employees of Board or Adjudicatory Board to be public servants
- 67Application of other laws not barred
- 68Power to evict certain persons from premises of Board
- 69Alternate remedy by suit
- 70Corporate Social Responsibility and development of infrastructure by Board
- 71Power of Central Government to make rules
- 72Power of Board to make regulations
- 73Laying of rules and regulations
- 74Power to remove difficulties
- 75Repeal and savings
- 76Transitional provision
Related Acts
- The Inland Vessels Act, 2021114 sections
- The Marine Aids to Navigation Act, 202153 sections
- The Merchant Shipping Act, 2025325 sections
- The Indian Ports Act 202586 sections
- The Coastal Shipping Act, 202542 sections
- The Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 202512 sections
- The Bills of Lading Act, 20256 sections
Source and method. Compiled from the enactments of Parliament and of the State legislatures as published on India Code, and republished together with commentary and other original matter under section 52(1)(q)(ii) of the Copyright Act, 1957. Structured, cross-referenced and maintained by eCourtsIndia. Every one of the 76 sections of this Act has its own page. This page is not a substitute for legal advice.