India has quietly transformed its ports

Picture Source: orbitshub.com

India’s Maritime Growth 

Over the past decade, the average turnaround time for the major ports has decreased by about 50%. The average turnaround time for Indian ports declined from 4.3 days in 2012-13 to 2.1 days in 2022-23. This remarkable progress is also reflected in India’s improved ranking in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index.The maritime sector accounts for 95% of India’s trade by volume and 65% by value.

Projected cargo volume by 2025 is estimated to be over 2.5 billion tonnes and this massive increase calls for substantial capacity augmentation of the existing ports and building of new ports in the next 10 years.

According to data from the Directorate General of Shipping, Government of India, India is the third-largest provider of seafarers worldwide, following China and the Philippines. Indian seafarers constitute nearly 10% of the global maritime workforce.

Major Ports in India

Indian ports have seen huge improvements in capacity and efficiency. Thirteen major ports in the country handle a lot of volume of container and cargo traffic. On the west coast, there are the ports of Mumbai, Kandla, Mangalore, JNPT, Mormugao, and Cochin. The ones on the east coast are the ports at Chennai, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Kolkata, and Ennore.

India’s Maritime Industry 

India is strategically located on the world’s shipping routes with a coastline of approximately 7,517 km. As of 2022, India owns over 30% global market share in the ship breaking industry and is home to the largest ship-breaking facility in the world at Alang. To promote India’s shipping and port industry, the government has also introduced various fiscal and non-fiscal incentives for enterprises that develop, maintain and operate ports, inland waterways and shipbuilding in India.

What is India’s Sagarmala Programme?

The Government Of India has launched the Sagarmala Programme with the objective of fostering port-led development, reducing logistics costs, and accelerating economic growth. The programme includes projects from various categories such as modernisation of existing ports and terminals, construction of RoRo/ RoPax& tourism jetties, enhancement of port connectivity, fishing harbours, skill development and technology centres.

In addition, the Government has undertaken development of 63 infrastructure projects at 57 locations to facilitate passenger and cargo transportation through RoPax and Passenger ferry services, of which 10 projects have already been completed and 4 locations are now operational. This improved connectivity through RoPax services has stimulated economic activities in coastal regions by facilitating unhindered movement of goods and people, which in turn has contributed to the development of local industries and tourism.

Indian marine sector plans aim to revolutionize the economy and set new worldwide naval standards. India’s rank in the International Shipment category in the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI) Report has risen from the 44th position in 2014 to the 22nd rank in 2023.