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India enjoys a vibrant port sector comprising 12 major ports and 176 notified non-major ports. The country ranks 16th among the maritime countries and has one of the largest merchant shipping fleet.
Around 95 per cent of India's foreign trade by volume and 70 per cent by value is transported through sea, as per Mr G K Vasan, the Union Minister of Shipping. He added 12 Major Ports account for 75 per cent of the total cargo by volume handled at Indian Ports. Development of India's Port and Shipping industry is therefore critical to sustain current levels and achieving higher levels of growth in the years to come.
The cargo traffic at India's 12 major ports during April-February 2011-12, was recorded at 510.8 million tonnes (MT), which was 1.59 per cent more than the cargo traffic of the same period last year.
The New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has added 11 MT to its total capacity in the last five years. The port has also witnessed good growth in the handling of containers, LPG and passengers vessels in the last few years, as per P Tamilvanan, Chairman, NMPT.
The Shipping Minister informed that during April-February 2011-12, Ennore Port recorded highest growth in traffic at 47 per cent. Cochin Port stood second at 13.7 per cent, followed by VO Chidambarnar Port at Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu at 13.2 per cent. He further highlighted, amongst the major Ports, Kandla Port handled the maximum cargo of 75.4 MT with a share of 14.8 per cent in total cargo handled at major ports, followed by Visakhapatnam with a share 12.2 per cent and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) with a share of 11.8 per cent, which stood second and third, respectively.
The New Mangalore Port Trust (NMPT) has added 11 MT to its total capacity in the last five years. The port has also witnessed good growth in the handling of containers, LPG and passengers vessels in the last few years, as per P Tamilvanan, Chairman, NMPT.
The anticipated traffic at Indian Ports would grow to 2,484.41 MT by 2019-20 from the present level of 849.89 MT at a compound aggregate growth rate (CAGR) of 11.32 per cent.
The Indian shipbuilding and ship repair industry is likely to reach Rs 9,200 crore (US$ 1.78 billion) from the current level of just over Rs 7,310 crore (US$ 1.42 billion) and is growing at a CAGR of about 8 per cent, according to an industry body's estimate. India accounts for just about one per cent of the global shipbuilding industry worth about Rs 730,000 crore (US$ 141.80 billion), according to a study 'Shipbuilding Industry in India: An overview'.
Major Investments
- Adani Group's venture, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) has received the letter of intent (LoI) from the Kandla Port Trust (KPT) for establishing a dry bulk terminal at the Kandla Port on build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. APSEZ will invest Rs 1,200 crore (US$ 233.1 million) to commission four berths. "We are extremely pleased to partner with the Government of India and the Kandla Port Trust. The Kandla Port's strategic location will be an important factor in attracting cargo from the north-west hinterland and will assist Adani Ports to cross cargo handling volumes of 200 million tonnes by 2020," as per Rajeeva Sinha, Wholetime Director, APSEZ
- The Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI) has approved the work involving the deepening and widening of the channel leading to Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT) and JNPT at an estimated cost of Rs 1,571.60 crore (US$ 305.28 million)
- A memorandum of understanding (MoU), setting out the performance targets for 2012-13 for Ennore Port, was signed between the Ministry of Shipping and Ennore Port Ltd (EPL) in New Delhi. The Port has been emerging as a major centre for export of automobiles. The MoU for 2012-13 has enhanced physical and financial targets for the company. The cargo throughput target has been set at 16 MT and gross sales have been put at Rs 210 crore (US$ 40.79 million) for Excellent Grade
- The State Cabinet has approved a detailed project report to develop the Thangassery Port near Kollam, stated Mr K Babu, Minister for Ports. The first phase will require investment of Rs 111 crore (US$ 21.56 million) and the second, Rs 125 crore (US$ 24.28 million). The Government has already invested Rs 71.06 crore (US$ 13.80 million) as part of the project's first phase
- Gujarat plans to set up its fourth liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal at the Pipavav Port soon besides commissioning the 5 MT capacity greenfield LNG terminal at Mundra by 2015-16. "We want one more LNG terminal at Pipavav port, which will have 2.5 MT to 5 MT capacity. Many companies have expressed interest in the project," highlighted Mr D J Pandian, State's Principal Secretary for Energy. The company plans to source gas from Australia and Egypt for the Mundra terminal. Furthermore, Gujarat has emerged as a LNG hub of the country and has appetite for new capacities, added Mr Pandian
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