Between 2014–15 and 2023–24, the cargo-handling capacity at Indian ports increased from 871.52 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 1629.86 MTPA. According to Sarbananda Sonowal, minister of ports, shipping, and waterways, the capacity has grown by 87% over the past nine years, with Kamarajar Port in Tamil Nadu recording a massive 154% surge. In three additional ports, the load capacity exceeded 100%.
With a 7,517-kilometer coastline, India is a marine country. Maritime transportation accounts for 70% of trade in terms of value and 95% of trade in terms of volume. It gets 80% of its energy (oil and gas) from the sea. With a capacity of 1,629.96 MTPA, India boasts 12 large ports and 205 minor and intermediate ports. Sonowal added that fourteen Coastal Economic Zones were intended primarily for port-led industrialization under the Sagarmala Program’s National Perspective Plan.
