Syllabus: GS3/Economy
Context
- India is eyeing a strategic expansion of its port infrastructure and management capacities on a global scale.
African Outreach
- Tanzania in Focus: India and Tanzania have signed several MoUs on maritime collaboration.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) is developing an industrial park in Tanzania.
- Cochin Shipyard has also partnered with Marine Services Co Ltd, a Tanzanian maritime firm.
- Private Sector Role: Adani Ports (APSEZ) already manages CT2 at Dar es Salaam Port under a 30-year concession and is involved in Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS) via its JV, East Africa Gateway Ltd.
- Adani Ports also has a joint venture — named East Africa Gateway Limited (EAGL) — with AD Ports Group and East Harbour Terminals Limited (EHTL), which acquired a 95% stake in Tanzania International Container Terminal Services (TICTS).
Chabahar Port Progress
- Rising Throughput: Operated by Indian Ports Global Ltd (IPGL), Chabahar is becoming a key gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
- Container handling surged to over 64,000 TEUs by Jan FY25 from just over 9,000 in FY23, with projections of 75,000 TEUs in FY25 and full capacity of 100,000 TEUs by FY26.
- Future Plans: A ₹4,000 crore capex-led expansion aims to quintuple capacity to 500,000 TEUs over 10 years, with additional infrastructure like mobile harbour cranes and a second berth in the pipeline.
Neighbourhood Engagement
- Myanmar: India Ports Global Limited (IPGL) now manages Sittwe Port, a part of the Kaladan project that enhances India’s linkages with Southeast Asia.
- Sri Lanka: Development of Kankesanthurai Port is underway, with ferry services to India being restored.
- APSEZ also started operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), a major transshipment facility.
Repositioning India Ports Global Limited (IPGL)
- The Shipping Ministry plans to transform IPGL from a purely strategic asset to a commercially active operator, including domestic terminals.
- A new umbrella entity, Bharat Global Ports, will act as an integrated port infrastructure provider, with IPGL as its operational wing.
- The goal is to bolster IPGL’s credibility globally through a stronger domestic footprint.
| India’s Port Sector – India has major ports (central government controlled) and minor ports (state government controlled). 1. 13 Major Ports 2. 217 Non-major (Minor/Intermediate) Ports – The ports are managed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. – Strategic Position: Located along the world’s busiest shipping routes, India is a key trading hub and a rising global power. – India’s Maritime Sector Overview: Handles 95% of India’s trade by volume and 70% by value, with port infrastructure critical to the economy. – Port Ranking Improvement: India’s port ranking improved from 54th in 2014 to 38th in 2023, with nine Indian ports now in the top 100 globally. – Growth in Cargo-handling: Between 2014-15 and 2023-24, major ports increased their annual cargo-handling capacity by 87.01%. – Maritime Sector’s Importance: India is the 16th-largest maritime nation, occupies a key position in global shipping, with major trade routes passing through its waters. – Future Goals: India has outlined investments of US$ 82 billion in port infrastructure projects by 2035 to bolster the maritime sector. 1. India plans to establish a new shipping company to expand its fleet by at least 1,000 ships within a decade. |
Way Ahead
- India’s proactive engagement in port development — from Chabahar in Iran to potential ventures in Africa and its maritime neighbourhood — reflects a deliberate shift towards building strategic maritime depth and economic resilience.
- Through Indian Ports Global Ltd (IPGL), the country is not only strengthening its presence along key trade corridors but also asserting itself as a credible infrastructure partner in the Indo-Pacific and Africa.
- The ongoing investments, MoUs, and institutional restructuring signal India’s intention to move from being a reactive participant to a long-term, rule-setting player in the global maritime arena.
- By expanding capacity, forging regional partnerships, and repositioning IPGL as a global operator, India is laying the foundation for greater trade connectivity, regional influence, and geostrategic leverage in the years to come.
Source: TH
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