Archive · 28 Jan 2026
India to Establish New Maritime Regulator by March
The Indian government is creating a new organization called the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) to oversee the maritime sector.
This includes shipbuilding, ports, and shipping.
The goal is to make India a bigger player in global shipping by 2047.
Currently, India has a small share of the shipbuilding market.
The new regulator will help make rules, ensure safety, and attract investments.
Experts say this will make the sector more consistent and investor-friendly.
The Indian government will establish the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) by early March.
DGMA will oversee shipbuilding, port operations, and maritime investments.
India aims to become a top five ship-owning nation by 2047 under Vision 2047.
The new regulator will issue binding directions to shipowners, agents, and ports.
Experts believe a unified regulator will improve consistency, safety, and investor confidence.
- Who
- Indian Government (Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways)
- What
- Establishment of the Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA)
- When
- By early March
- Where
- India
- Why
- To expand India's role in the global maritime economy and improve regulatory oversight
- Regulator Name
- Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA)
- Current Global Shipbuilding Rank
- 22nd
- Current Ship Ownership Rank
- 18th
- Current Shipbuilding Capacity
- 0.1 million GTPA
- Target Shipbuilding Capacity by 2047
- 4.5 million GTPA
- Target Ship Ownership by 2047
- Top 5 nations with 100 million GT
- Legislation
- Merchant Shipping Act, 2025
- Expected Notification Date
- Early March