SYLLABUS

GS-3: Effects of Liberalization on the Economy, Changes in Industrial Policy and their Effects on Industrial Growth; Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, etc.

Context: The Government has exempted IFSC GIFT City units from the licensing requirement under Section 11 of the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025 for chartering foreign vessels for EXIM and international trade operations.

Key Highlights of the Exemption

• What Has Been Exempted?
  Earlier, entities chartering foreign vessels for specified operations were required to obtain a licence under Section 11 of the Coastal Shipping Act, 2025. The new exemption removes this requirement for eligible IFSC units.
  Eligible IFSC entities can now charter foreign vessels for export-import (EXIM) and international trade operations without obtaining a licence from the Director General of Shipping. 
• Coastal Shipping Safeguards Remain Intact
  The exemption applies only to EXIM and international trade operations and does not alter India's existing coastal shipping (cabotage) framework or safeguards applicable to domestic coastal trade. 
• Objective of the Reform
  The measure seeks to simplify regulatory requirements and promote ship leasing, ship financing, and ship-owning activities through GIFT City. 

Significance of the Exemption

• Boost to Maritime Leasing and Ship Financing: By removing a key regulatory requirement, the reform is expected to encourage ship leasing, vessel ownership, and maritime financing activities through IFSC-based entities. 
• Strengthening GIFT City as a Maritime Hub: The exemption enhances GIFT City's attractiveness for global maritime businesses and supports its emergence as an integrated centre for maritime leasing, financing, and related services. 
• Bringing Offshore Maritime Services Onshore: The reform supports India's objective of developing domestic capabilities in maritime finance and ship leasing, reducing reliance on established overseas financial centres for such services. 
• Supporting India's Blue Economy and Maritime Vision: The measure complements India's broader efforts to strengthen maritime infrastructure, logistics, shipping services, and the Blue Economy while enhancing the country's role in global trade and shipping networks. 

About GIFT IFSC and IFSCA

• Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), located in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, is India's first operational International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) and has been developed as a global financial and business hub.
• What is an IFSC?
  An International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) is a jurisdiction that provides financial services to non-residents and residents in foreign currencies, bringing offshore financial activities and transactions within India.
  IFSCs were conceived to enable India to compete with global financial centres and reduce the outflow of financial services business to overseas jurisdictions. 
• International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA)
  Established under the International Financial Services Centres Authority Act, 2019, the IFSCA is the unified regulator for financial products, financial services, and financial institutions operating in IFSCs in India.
  It regulates sectors such as banking, insurance, capital markets, fund management, fintech, aircraft leasing, and ship leasing.