India is a nation blessed with a vast coastlinestretching over 7,500 kilometers, has emerged as a key player in global maritime trade
Fueling this trade are the numerous ports thatdot the Indian coast, serving as crucial entry and exit points for a wide range of import and export activities.
But within this network, a specific groupstands out for their size, capacity, and overall contribution to the Indian economy: the Major Ports.
There are currently 13 Major Ports in India, strategically located along both theeastern and western coastlines.
These ports are under the direct administrationof the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways of the Government of India, highlighting their national significance.
Incontrast, over 200 minor ports, also known as non-major ports, operate under the control of respective state governments or private entities through Public Private Partnership (PPP) models.
Here's whatdifferentiates Major Ports from their minor
Size andInfrastructure: Major Ports boast superior infrastructure, includingdeeper channels, larger cargo handling capacities and advanced technological
advancements to facilitate efficient cargo movement.
● Traffic Volume: Major Portshandle a significantly higher volume of cargo compared to minor ports.
Theycater to large vessels carrying bulk cargo, containerized goods, and specialized cargo like petroleum products.
● NationalImportance: Major Ports play a vital role in India's international trade strategy.
They handle a substantial portion of thecountry's import and export needs, impacting various sectors like
manufacturing, agriculture, and energy.
Exploring the MajorPorts of India
Eastern Coast:
● Kolkata (West Bengal): The oldest operationalport in India, Kolkata serves as the gateway to eastern India and the
Northeast. It is a major center for coal, fertilizer, and containerized cargo movement.
● Paradip (Odisha): A prominent port forhandling bulk cargo like iron ore, coal, and crude oil, Paradip is
strategically located to serve the mineral-rich hinterland of Odisha.
● Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh): The largestport on the eastern coast, Visakhapatnam handles a diverse cargo mix, including coal, petroleum products, and container traffic. It is also a major center for shipbuilding and repair.
● Chennai (Tamil Nadu): A prominent port forhandling containerized cargo, automobiles, and petroleum products, Chennai caters to South India's trade needs.
● Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu): Located at thesouthern tip of the Indian peninsula, Tuticorin is a major port for handling coal, minerals and petroleum products. It is also emerging as a key center for container traffic.
● Ennore (TamilNadu): A relatively new major port, Ennore is rapidly developing intoa major coal handling center, catering to the growing thermal power needs of South India.
Western Coast:
● JawaharlalNehru Port (Maharashtra): The busiestport in India, JNPT is a leading container terminal and plays a pivotal role in India's international trade.
● Mumbai(Maharashtra): The historic port city of Mumbai continues to be a majorcenter for cargo movement, handling a diverse mix of goods, including containers, petroleum products and bulk cargo.
● Marmugao (Goa): Located in Goa,Marmugao is a major port for handling iron ore exports and also caters to the import of coal and petroleum products.
● Cochin (Kerala): A prominent port onthe Malabar Coast, Cochin is known for its spice trade and also handles a significant volume of containerized cargo, petroleum products and project cargo.
● New Mangalore (Karnataka): A major portfor handling iron ore exports and also caters to the import of coal, fertilizers and timber.
● Deendayal Port(Gujarat): A recently developed port, Deendayal Port is envisioned as amajor hub for handling bulk cargo, particularly coal and fertilizer.
The Future of India'sMajor Ports
The Indian government is actively investing inexpanding the capacity and capabilities of its Major Ports.
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