The Ministry has envisaged for itself the following policy guidelines in fulfillment of the aforementioned mission and vision:-

• To review and formulate policies, regulations and laws that conform to changing trends in the ports, shipping and the railways sectors. To provide an enabling environment for viable business operations in these sectors.
  
  
• To identify and institute measures that promote private sector participation in ports, shipping and railways transport system to meet national and international requirements.
  
  
• To institute standards to ensure safety, reliability and efficiency of the ports, shipping and railways transport system to meet national and international requirement.
  
  
• To strengthen the institutional capacities and ensure improved management performance of the organizations under the Ministry.
  
  
• To coordinate and co-operate with the Ministry of Roads and Transport to develop and implement an integrated transport network which is complementary in character in support of the socio-economic development of the nation.
  
  
• To ensure the provision of adequate infrastructure and services at minimum cost while ensuring cost recovery