The Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways recently announced that the cargo-handling capacity at Indian ports has increased by 87% over the last nine years.
- Tamil Nadu’s Kamarajar Port has shown a remarkable surge, registering a 154% increase in cargo handling capacity.
About Kamarajar Port
- Kamarajar Port was formerly known as Ennore Port.
- It is located approximately 24 kilometers north of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, India.
- It is the 12th major port of India and the first port in India established as a public company.
- The port was declared as a major port under the Indian Ports Act, 1908, in March 1999.
- Kamarajar Port is the only corporatized major port in India and is registered as a company.
- It is owned by the Chennai Port Trust, which also operates the Port of Chennai.
- The port operates under the landlord port model, where the port authority acts as a regulatory body and landlord, while private companies handle port operations, especially cargo handling.
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India’s Port Sector
- India ranks as the 16th largest maritime country in the world.
- The Indian maritime sector contributes to 95% of India’s trade by volume and 70% by value.
- The Indian port sector is divided into two segments: major ports and non-major ports.
- India currently has 12 major ports, with Vadhvan Port (13th) and Galathea Port (14th) being the latest additions.
- There are over 200 non-major ports across India.
- The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways regulates major ports in India.
Comparison of Major and Minor Ports
| Feature |
Major Ports |
Minor Ports |
| Administration |
Administered directly by the central government. |
Administered by state governments. |
| Legislation |
Regulated by the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021. |
Governed under the Indian Ports Act, 1908. |
| Operational Model |
Operate on a landlord model with private participation. |
Managed by state departments or maritime boards. |
| Jurisdiction |
Under the central government’s jurisdiction. |
Under state governments’ jurisdiction. |
| Example |
Jawaharlal Nehru Port (100% landlord model). |
Various state-run ports like Hazira and Mundra. |
About Upcoming Major Ports
Vadhvan Port
- It is located near Dahanu town in Palghar district, Maharashtra.
- Vadhvan Port is the 13th major port in the country.
- It is expected to become the largest container port in India and one of the largest deep-water ports in the country.
- The project will be constructed by Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL), a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV).
- VPPL is formed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB), with a shareholding of 74% and 26%, respectively.
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Galathea Port
- The Central Government notified Galathea Bay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a major port in 2024.
- It is located on Great Nicobar Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India.
- Galathea Port is being developed as an International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP).
- A transshipment port acts as a hub where cargo is transferred from one vessel to another for further transportation to its final destination.
- Galathea Port will be the 14th major port in India.
31 Dec 2024
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