Maritime State Development Council

Why is in news? Shri Sarbananda Sonowal to chair two-day 19thMeeting of the Maritime State Development Council from tomorrow at Kevadia, Gujarat

The Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways to chair the 19th meeting of the Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) scheduled on 18th and 19th August at Kevadia in Gujarat.

During this, discussions will be focused upon significant issues pertaining to the overall progress of the maritime sector.

Issues will discuss in this meeting: Implementation of Sagarmala Programme; Development of National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC), Lothal, Gujarat; Development of National Waterways; Challenges and opportunities for promotion of RoPax/ Ferries; Urban Passenger Waterways Transportation; Road & Rail port connectivity; Success stories of Coastal States & UTs and Issues/ Challenges faced by State Maritime Boards.

A coordination meeting on the 2023 (GMIS 2023) & Maritime Excellence Achievers will also be held with senior officials of all Coastal States & UTs to discuss about their planning for participation in in the Global Maritime India Summit 2023 which is scheduled to be held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi from 17th-19th October 2023.

The Global Maritime India Summit (GMIS) 2023 is a premier maritime sector focused event to bring together pivotal figures from the industry to explore opportunities, understand challenges, and stimulate investment within India's maritime sector.

Building upon the legacy of its preceding editions of 2016 and 2021, this third edition of summit aims to unveil broader prospects for domestic and international maritime stakeholders and investors.

More than 100 countries and a number of delegates from them are expected to participate in the Summit with exhibitors and investors from various domains of the maritime sector.

About the council:

Maritime State Development Council (MSDC) is an apex advisory body for the development of the maritime sector.

MSDC was constituted in May 1997 under the Chairmanship of the Minister of Shipping, The Ministers in charge of ports of the maritime States/Union Territories (UTs) as members.

It aims to ensure the integrated development of Major and non-Major Ports. It also assess in consultation with State Governments for the future development of existing and new Minor Ports either directly or through captive users and private participation.

Further, MSDC also 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.

It also assess the requirements of other infrastructure requirements like roads/rail/IWT and make suitable recommendations to the concerned Ministers.