The expansion of the tonnage tax scheme proposed in the new Income Tax Bill, 2025 will offer significant benefits to domestic shipping companies. The revised provisions extend the tax regime to Indian inland vessels under the Inland Vessels Act, 2021, which was previously limited to ships registered under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. Under the new framework, companies opting for the tonnage tax scheme will be considered separate businesses and enjoy a 10-year lock-in period, exempting them from corporate tax during this duration. Industry experts believe that this move will enhance cash flow and improve the viability of inland and coastal shipping operations.
Speeding Up: Key developments in the railway sector
Over the past few years, Indian Railways (IR) has made significant strides in rail safety, modernisation and technological innovation. With strong budgetary support, IR aims to achieve its objective of higher speed, better passenger amenities […]
Rising Tide: Trends and opportunities in maritime development
The Indian maritime sector has witnessed sustained momentum in recent years, driven by significant expansion in port capacity, proactive policy support, technological advancements and enhanced multimodal connectivity. These factors have collectively improved operational efficiency, streamlined […]
Connecting Corners: Policy reforms propel the satellite communications sector forward
The Indian satellite communications (satcom) market is experiencing rapid growth due to heavy investment in new satellite systems. The demand for satellite-based services, such as broadband internet and satellite television, is being propelled by the […]