## Report on the Constitution of the National Shipping Board, 2025
**1. Executive Summary:**
This report analyzes a notification from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India, dated April 30, 2025, regarding the constitution of the National Shipping Board. The core purpose of this notification is to establish the National Shipping Board for a period of two years, specifying its composition and membership. Key findings include the identification of the Board's members, their affiliations, and the legal basis for the Board's establishment. This Board will likely play a crucial advisory role in matters related to shipping.
**2. Introduction:**
The purpose of this report is to provide a comprehensive overview of the notification issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on April 30, 2025, concerning the constitution of the National Shipping Board. The analysis is based solely on the information provided within the text of the notification.
**3. Policy Overview:**
This is a new policy establishing the National Shipping Board.
* **Core Objective(s):** The core objective, as inferred from the text, is to establish the National Shipping Board with a clearly defined structure and membership. This implies a desire to have a dedicated body responsible for advising the Central Government on matters related to shipping, based on the authority granted by the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and National Shipping Board Rules, 1960.
**4. Background and Rationale:**
* **New Policy:** The creation of a National Shipping Board suggests a need for a specialized body to advise the government on matters pertaining to the shipping industry. This need might arise from evolving challenges and opportunities within the sector, requiring expert consultation for effective policy-making and regulatory oversight. The Merchant Shipping Act and National Shipping Board Rules provide the legal framework, likely prompting the practical implementation of forming this advising body.
**5. Key Provisions / Changes:**
* **New Policy:** This notification establishes the National Shipping Board and mandates its composition as follows:
* **Establishment of the Board:** The notification formally constitutes the National Shipping Board.
* **Duration:** The Board is established for a period of two years from the date of the notification's publication in the official Gazette of India.
* **Membership:** The notification explicitly lists the 16 members of the Board, including:
* A Chairperson (Shri Sameer Kumar Khare)
* Representatives from the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Indian Navy, and Indian Coast Guard.
* Representatives from various shipping associations (ICCSA, INSA, CCTA).
* Representatives from seafarer unions (NUSI, MUI).
* Representatives from the Indian Registrar of Shipping, Cochin Shipyard Limited, IIT Madras, Sitara Shipping Ltd. and IPA.
**6. Target Audience and Stakeholders:**
Based on the provided text, the target audience and stakeholders directly affected by this policy include:
* The members of the National Shipping Board themselves.
* The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
* The Directorate General of Shipping.
* The various shipping associations represented on the Board (ICCSA, INSA, CCTA).
* Seafarer unions (NUSI, MUI).
* The broader shipping industry, including ship owners, operators, and related businesses.
* The Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.
* Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
* Cochin Shipyard Limited.
* Indian Registrar of Shipping.
* IIT Madras (Department of Ocean Engineering).
* Sitara Shipping Ltd.
* IPA
**7. Implementation Aspects (Inferred):**
* **Responsible Agency/Bodies:** The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways is the primary responsible agency, as it issued the notification. The Directorate General of Shipping is also likely to play a significant role in supporting the Board's activities.
* **Timelines:** The Board is established for a period of two years from the date of publication.
* **Procedures:** The notification doesn't explicitly detail procedures, but it implies that the Board will convene and operate in accordance with the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 and National Shipping Board Rules, 1960.
**8. Expected Outcomes / Impact of Changes:**
* **New Policy:** The likely intended outcomes of establishing the National Shipping Board include:
* Enhanced advisory capacity for the Central Government on shipping-related matters.
* More informed and effective policy-making in the shipping sector.
* Improved coordination and collaboration among various stakeholders in the industry.
* A structured platform for addressing challenges and pursuing opportunities in the shipping industry.
**9. Conclusion:**
The notification issued by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on April 30, 2025, marks the establishment of the National Shipping Board. This initiative aims to strengthen the government's capacity to address the complex and evolving needs of the shipping industry by creating a dedicated advisory body comprised of diverse stakeholders. The Board's formation is a significant step towards promoting sustainable growth and effective governance in the maritime sector for the next two years.
Key Entities Referenced
NEW DELHI: Location where the notification was issued.
APRIL 30, 2025: Date of the notification.
VAISAKHA 10, 1947: Date according to the Indian national calendar.
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS: Issuing authority of the notification.
Section 4 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: Legal basis for the notification.
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: Act of Parliament of India.
National Shipping Board Rules, 1960: Rules pertaining to the National Shipping Board.
Central Government: The entity exercising the powers conferred by the Merchant Shipping Act and Rules.
National Shipping Board: Entity being constituted by this notification.
Shri Sameer Kumar Khare: Chairperson of the National Shipping Board.
IAS: Indian Administrative Service.
Shri Ajithkumar Sukumaran: Member of the National Shipping Board; Chief Surveyor, Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai.
Directorate General of Shipping: Organization where Ajithkumar Sukumaran is Chief Surveyor.
Mumbai: Location of the Directorate General of Shipping where Ajithkumar Sukumaran works.
Marine Administration Wing: Part of the Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: Ministry represented on the National Shipping Board.
Indian Navy: Organization represented on the National Shipping Board.
Indian Coast Guard: Organization represented on the National Shipping Board.
Shri Rakesh Singh: Member of the National Shipping Board; Secretary, representative of Indian Coastal Conference Shipping Association ICCSA.
Indian Coastal Conference Shipping Association: Shipping Association.
ICCSA: Abbreviation for Indian Coastal Conference Shipping Association.
Shri Anil Laxman Devli: Member of the National Shipping Board; CEO, representative of Indian National Ship owners Association INSA.
Indian National Ship owners Association: Shipping Association.
INSA: Abbreviation for Indian National Ship owners Association.
Shri Rahul Modi: Member of the National Shipping Board; representative of Coastal Container Transports Association CCTA.
Coastal Container Transports Association: Shipping Association.
CCTA: Abbreviation for Coastal Container Transports Association.
Shri Milind Kandalgaonkar: Member of the National Shipping Board; General SecretarycumTreasurer, National Union of Seafarers of India NUSI.
National Union of Seafarers of India: Seafarers union.
NUSI: Abbreviation for National Union of Seafarers of India.
Captain Tushar Pradhan: Member of the National Shipping Board; General Secretary of the Maritime Union of India MUI.
Maritime Union of India: Union.
MUI: Abbreviation for Maritime Union of India.
Mr. Arun Sharma: Member of the National Shipping Board; Executive Chairman Indian Registrar of Shipping IRS Mumbai.
Indian Registrar of Shipping: Shipping organization.
IRS: Abbreviation for Indian Registrar of Shipping.
CMD, Cochin Shipyard Limited: Member of the National Shipping Board; Chairman and Managing Director of Cochin Shipyard Limited.
Cochin Shipyard Limited: Shipyard company.
Dr. K. Murali: Member of the National Shipping Board; Professor, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT, Madras.
Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT, Madras: Academic Department at IIT Madras.
IIT Madras: Indian Institute of Technology Madras.
Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta: Member of the National Shipping Board; Director, Sitara Shipping Ltd.
Sitara Shipping Ltd.: Shipping Company.
Shri Shantanu Kalita: Member of the National Shipping Board; Advisor, IPA.
IPA: Unclear from the context what IPA refers to; likely an organization.
RAJESH KUMAR SINHA: Special Secretary.
Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi110064: Government press.
Controller of Publications, Delhi110054: Controller of Publications.
S.O. 1935E: Notification number.
रजिस्ट्री स.ं डी.एल.- 33004/99 REGD. No. D. L.-33004/99
सी.जी.-डी.एल.-अ.-30042025-262766
CG-DLxx-ExG-3ID00H4x2x0x 25-262766
xxxGIDExxx
असाधारण
EXTRAORDINARY
भाग II—खण् ड 3—उप-खण्ड (ii)
PART II—Section 3—Sub-section (ii)
प्राजधकार स ेप्रकाजित
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
स.ं 1892] नई दिल्ली, बुधवार, अप्रलै 30, 2025/ विै ाख 10, 1947
No. 1892] NEW DELHI, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 2025/ VAISAKHA 10, 1947
पत्तन, पोत पररवहन और िलमाग ग मत्रं ालय
अजधसचू ना
नई दिल्ली, 30 अप्रलै , 2025
का.आ. 1935(अ).—राष्ट्रीय नौवहन बोडग जनयम, 1960 के जनयम 4 के साथ परित, वाजणज्य पोत पररवह्न
अजधजनयम, 1958 (1958 का 44) की धारा 4 द्वारा प्रित्त िजियों का प्रयोग करते हुए केंद्र सरकार एतद्वारा भारत के
आजधकाररक रािपत्र म ेंप्रकािन की जतजथ स े िो वर्ग की अवजध के जलए राष्ट्रीय नौवहन बोडग का गिन करती ह।ै
राष्ट्रीय नौवहन बोडग म ेंजनम्नजलजखत सिस्ट्य िाजमल होंगे:-
1. श्री समीर कुमार खरे, सेवाजनवृत्त आईएएस (अध्यक्ष)।
2. श्री अजितकुमार सुकुमारन, मुख्य सवेक्षक, नौवहन महाजनिेिालय, मुंबई।
3. समुद्री प्रिासन स्ट्कंध के प्रभारी, पत्तन, पोत पररवहन और िलमागग मंत्रालय।
4. पेरोजलयम और प्राकृजतक गैस मत्रं ालय के एक प्रजतजनजध (संयुि सजचव रैंक स े नीच े नहीं)
5. भारतीय नौसेना के एक प्रजतजनजध (जनििे क रैंक स े नीच ेनहीं)।
6. भारतीय तटरक्षक के एक प्रजतजनजध (जनिेिक रैंक स ेनीच े नहीं)।
7. श्री राकेि ससंह, सजचव, इंजडयन कोस्ट्टल कॉन्फ्रेंस जिसपंग एसोजिएिन (आईसीसीएसए) के प्रजतजनजध।
8. श्री अजनल लक्ष्मण िेवली, सीईओ, इंजडयन निे नल जिप-ओनसग एसोजिएिन (आईएनएसए) के प्रजतजनजध।
2848 GI/2025 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
9. श्री राहुल मोिी, कोस्ट्टल कंटेनर रांसपोर्टसग एसोजिएिन (सीसीटीए) के प्रजतजनजध।
10. श्री जमसलंि कंडलगांवकर, महासजचव-सह-कोर्ाध्यक्ष, भारतीय राष्ट्रीय नाजवक संघ (एनयूएसआई)।
11. कैप्टन तुर्ार प्रधान, मरै ीटाइम यूजनयन ऑफ इंजडया (एमयआू ई) के महासजचव।
12. श्री अरुण िमाग, कायगकारी अध्यक्ष, इंजडयन रजिस्ट्रार ऑफ जिसपंग (आईआरएस), मुंबई।
13. सीएमडी, कोचीन जिपयाड ग जलजमटेड।
14. डॉ. के. मरु ली, प्रोफेसर, महासागर इंजिजनयररंग जवभाग, आईआईटी, मद्रास।
15. सुश्री संिम साही गुप्ता, जनिेिक, जसतारा जिसपगं जलजमटेड।
16. श्री िांतन ु कजलता, सलाहकार, आईपीए।
[फा.स.ं एसटी-16011/4/2016-एमए]
रािेि कुमार जसन्फ्हा, जविेर् सजचव
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 30th April, 2025
S.O. 1935(E).—In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 4 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958 (44 of
1958) read with Rule 4 of the National Shipping Board Rules, 1960, the Central Government hereby constitutes the
National Shipping Board for a period of two years from the date of publication in the official Gazette of India.
The National Shipping Board shall consist of the following members: —
1. Shri Sameer Kumar Khare, Retired IAS, Chairperson.
2. Shri Ajithkumar Sukumaran, Chief Surveyor, Directorate General of Shipping, Mumbai.
3. In-charge of Marine Administration Wing, Ministry of Ports Shipping and Waterways.
4. A representative of Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (not below the rank of Joint Secretary)
5. A representative of Indian Navy (Not below the rank of Director).
6. A representative of Indian Coast Guard (Not below the rank of Director).
7. Shri Rakesh Singh, Secretary, representative of Indian Coastal Conference Shipping Association (ICCSA)
8. Shri Anil Laxman Devli, CEO, representative of Indian National Ship- owners Association (INSA)
9. Shri Rahul Modi, representative of Coastal Container Transports Association (CCTA)
10. Shri Milind Kandalgaonkar, General Secretary-cum-Treasurer, National Union of Seafarers of India (NUSI).
11. Captain Tushar Pradhan, General Secretary of the Maritime Union of India (MUI),
12. Mr. Arun Sharma, Executive Chairman Indian Registrar of Shipping (IRS) Mumbai.
13. CMD, Cochin Shipyard Limited
14. Dr. K. Murali, Professor, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT, Madras,
15. Ms. Sanjam Sahi Gupta, Director, Sitara Shipping Ltd.
16. Shri Shantanu Kalita, Advisor, IPA
[F. No. ST-16011/4/2016-MA]
RAJESH KUMAR SINHA, Special Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.