Indian Ports Act, 1908

The appellant, an iron‑ore exporter, claimed a rebate of Rs 62,46,548.10 from the Board of Trustees of Mormugao Port, alleging that the Board had unlawfully levied a surcharge and refused full rebate. The Board raised two defenses under Section 120 of the Major Port Trusts Act, 1963: that the appellant had not served t…

The New Mangalore Port Listed Workers Managing Committee was created in 1983 to provide stevedores for loading and unloading cargo at the New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) and was dissolved on 15 March 1990 when its workers were absorbed into NMPT as a cargo‑handling wing. The Committee challenged a Karnataka State Gover…

The case concerned the liability for demurrage and detention charges on ten consignments of cold‑rolled coils imported by M/s Imler International and M/s Shri Lakshmi Steels. The goods were detained by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs on suspicion of mis‑declaration, leading the Mumbai Port Tru…

The owners of the vessel M.T. Larnaca entered Cochin Port and damaged an RCC platform, leading the Port Trust to assess damages of Rs. 33.82 lakh and demand an unconditional cash deposit before allowing the ship to depart. The owners challenged the demand, arguing that clause 6 of the 1980 notification and Regulation 4…

The Commissioner of Central Excise appealed against the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) claiming that wharfage charges collected from its licensee, Ultratech Cement Ltd (UCL), were liable to service tax as "port services" under the Finance Act, 1994. The dispute centered on a licence agreement under the Gujarat Maritime B…

The Supreme Court examined whether a barge‑repair workshop operating on private land along the Zuari River used government riverine land and could be charged rent by the Panaji Port Authority. The Court held that the workshop did use riverine land, which falls within the definition of a "landing place" and is subject t…

Essar Bulk Terminal Ltd. challenged a Gujarat Government notification expanding Hazira port limits under Section 5 of the Indian Ports Act, claiming it would affect land it had reclaimed for its captive jetty. The Supreme Court held that the notification was issued in public interest and was within the statutory power,…

The Supreme Court examined the termination of licences granted by the Paradeep Port Trust (the Board) for manual and mechanically operated iron‑ore storage plots. The appellants claimed an indefeasible right to renew their licences and alleged that the Board’s decision violated constitutional principles. The Court held…

The Government of Pondicherry entered into a Build‑Operate‑Transfer concession with Subhash Projects & Marketing Ltd (SPML) for the development of the minor Pondicherry Port, issuing a Letter of Intent and a concession agreement without prior Central Government approval. The appellants challenged the award on grounds o…

JSW Steel Ltd. (appellant) challenged a High Court order that allowed the Mumbai Port Trust (respondent No.1) to withdraw Rs.70 lakh it had deposited as security for the removal of a capsized barge wreck. The dispute centered on whether liability for removing the wreck under Section 14 of the Indian Ports Act, 1908 fel…

APM Terminals BV challenged the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust’s (JNPT) decision to exclude it from the Fourth Container Terminal tender, arguing that a licence agreement clause (8.31) barred the exclusion. The Union of India had altered its port policy to prevent private monopolisation, stipulating that operators of one …

Md. Safiur Rehman, a dock worker, died leaving a widow and son. The Calcutta Dock Labour Board sought attachment of the gratuity payable to Rehman under its scheme to satisfy a decree against the heirs. The Small Causes Court ordered attachment, overruling the Board’s objection that gratuity was exempt. The High Court …

The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB), a statutory authority created under the Gujarat Maritime Board Act, 1981 to develop minor ports, applied to be registered as a charitable institution under Section 12A of the Income‑Tax Act, 1961 to claim exemption under Section 11. The Commissioner of Income Tax rejected the applicati…

Mahesh Travels & Tours and other launch operators ran joy‑rides from the Gateway of India to Elephanta Island. A cooperative association of launch owners used a voluntary roster to avoid competition, but the appellants were excluded. The Deputy Conservator of Bombay Port Trust, on police direction, imposed a compulsory…