National Shipping Board (NSB)
Why in News?
- The National Shipping Board (NSB) held its first “Sagar Samvad” in New Delhi on 25 August 2026, bringing together the government, shipowners, financiers, maritime-sector stakeholders and young seafarers.
- The government announced a roadmap to add 100 vessels to India’s merchant fleet over the next five years to reduce dependence on foreign-flagged ships and help cut the approximately US$75 billion annual foreign freight bill. India currently has around 1,600 seagoing merchant vessels.
- The National Shipping Board (NSB) is a statutory advisory body dealing with matters relating to Indian shipping and its development.
- It was established in 1959 under Section 4 of the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958.
- It advises the Central Government on matters concerning Indian shipping and on other matters referred to it under the Merchant Shipping Act.
- It functions under the broad policy framework of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
Under the earlier statutory framework, the Board comprised:
- 6 Members elected by Parliament — 4 from the Lok Sabha and 2 from the Rajya Sabha.
- Up to 16 additional members nominated to represent the Central Government, shipowners, seafarers and other relevant interests.
- The law provides for equal representation of shipowners and seamen among the relevant representatives.
- The Central Government nominates the Chairperson.
- The NSB was reconstituted in 2025, and its functioning has subsequently been strengthened through the new regulatory framework.
- The National Shipping Board Rules, 2026 were notified by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on 20 May 2026, replacing the older framework and updating the institutional structure.
- The Directorate General of Maritime Administration records the 2025 NSB notification among the current maritime legal instruments.
The first Sagar Samvad focused on a five-pillar roadmap for strengthening India's maritime sector:
- Fleet expansion: Addition of 100 vessels in five years to increase Indian-flagged tonnage.
- Reducing foreign dependence: Greater use of Indian-flagged vessels can reduce India's dependence on foreign carriers and the associated foreign-exchange outgo.
- Shipbuilding and financing: Improving access to finance and strengthening domestic shipbuilding capabilities.
- Seafarer development: Addressing issues related to training, taxation, pensions, welfare and employment of Indian seafarers.
- Long-term maritime goals: Aligning shipping-sector reforms with Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
- India conducts a substantial proportion of its international trade by sea, but a significant part of the cargo is carried by foreign-flagged vessels.
- A stronger Indian merchant fleet can improve strategic maritime autonomy, reduce foreign-exchange expenditure and enhance India's resilience during global geopolitical disruptions and supply-chain shocks.
- It can also generate demand for Indian shipbuilding, ship repair, maritime finance, insurance and skilled seafarers.
