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India has big plans to expand its port industry globally, let’s learn more

India wants to strategically expand its port infrastructure and management skills globally

Deeksha Upadhyay 21 May 2025 12:12

India has big plans to expand its port industry globally, let’s learn more

African Engagement

Tanzania Highlighted: India and Tanzania have entered into multiple MoUs regarding maritime cooperation.

Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is creating an industrial park in Tanzania.

Cochin Shipyard has teamed up with Marine Services Co Ltd, a marine company from Tanzania.

Role of Private Sector: Adani Ports (APSEZ) is currently overseeing CT2 at Dar es Salaam Port under a 30-year concession and participates in Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS) through its joint venture, East Africa Gateway Ltd.

Adani Ports has a joint venture known as East Africa Gateway Limited (EAGL) in partnership with AD Ports Group and East Harbour Terminals Limited (EHTL), which obtained a 95% ownership in Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS).

Advancements at Chabahar Port

Increasing Throughput: Managed by Indian Ports Global Ltd (IPGL), Chabahar is emerging as an essential entry point to Afghanistan and Central Asia.

Container processing rose to more than 64,000 TEUs by January FY25, compared to slightly over 9,000 in FY23, with forecasts of 75,000 TEUs in FY25 and an eventual capacity of 100,000 TEUs by FY26.

Future Strategies: A ₹4,000 crore capital expenditure-driven expansion seeks to increase capacity fivefold to 500,000 TEUs over a decade, alongside developing infrastructure such as mobile harbour cranes and a second berth.

Community Involvement

Myanmar: India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) has taken over the management of Sittwe Port, which is a component of the Kaladan project aimed at strengthening India’s connections with Southeast Asia.

Sri Lanka: The development of Kankesanthurai Port is in progress, and ferry services to India are being reestablished.

APSEZ has also commenced operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), a significant transshipment hub.

India's Maritime Industry

– India features major ports (controlled by the central government) and minor ports (managed by state governments).

- The ports are overseen by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways.

– Strategic Location: Situated on the planet's most active shipping lanes, India serves as an essential trading center and is an emerging global influence.

– Overview of India’s Maritime Sector: Manages 95% of trade by volume and 70% by value, where port infrastructure is vital to the economy.

– Enhancement in Port Ranking: India’s port ranking rose from 54th place in 2014 to 38th in 2023, with nine Indian ports currently among the top 100 worldwide.

– Increase in Cargo Handling: From 2014-15 to 2023-24, significant ports enhanced their yearly cargo-handling capability by 87.01%.

– Significance of the Maritime Sector: As the 16th largest maritime nation, India plays a crucial role in global shipping, with important trade routes traversing its waters.

– Future Objectives: India has planned investments of US$ 82 billion in port infrastructure initiatives by 2035 to enhance the maritime industry.

Please provide the text you'd like me to paraphrase, and I'll be happy to help! India intends to create a new shipping firm to grow its fleet by a minimum of 1,000 vessels over the next ten years.

Path Forward

India’s active involvement in port development — ranging from Chabahar in Iran to possible projects in Africa and its maritime vicinity — signifies a calculated move toward enhancing strategic maritime depth and economic stability.

By means of Indian Ports Global Ltd (IPGL), the nation is enhancing its footprint along vital trade routes while also establishing itself as a reliable infrastructure ally in the Indo-Pacific and Africa.

The continuous investments, agreements, and organizational reforms indicate India’s aim to transition from a responsive participant to a long-term, rule-defining actor in the international maritime domain.

Through increasing capacity, forming regional alliances, and redefining IPGL as an international

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