Modernization of major Indian ports for increasing cargo handling capacity

In coming years it is estimated that the ports of Indian will handle more traffic via cargo and container ships .The current capacity of the Indian ports is only 1500 MTPA, while it is estimated that by the year 2025, the ports have to handle the 2500 MTPA cargo. To meet this growing traffic at ports, the government of India, has started a modernization drive of major ports of India.

Under the sagarmala project, the various steps are being taken to increase the capacity of major ports of India to deal with growing traffic. These steps include not only modernization but also increase the draft that is depth of the ports. Increased depth of the ports, ensure that big ships and ultra large vessels can berth in the ports. The third step is to mechanization of ports that is using modern machines and equipments to load and unload the cargo from ships and containers. The use of machines reduces the time spend in loading and unloading. The less time means that more and more ships can be handled within short period of time.

The lack of modernization has held back the capacity of major ports. The machines used at the ports are insufficient to meet the current requirements of ships and container ships. The need has been felt at some ports to change the machines and equipments for handling cargo. These ports are kandla, tuticorn and haldia. Twenty new harbor cranes have been sanctioned for use at major ports.

The depth at major ports in India is low compare to several leading ports of the world. The result of this low depth has been that major container ships by pass India and go to either Singapore or Dubai for unloading traffic. The size of ships has increased in the last few years. It is important to make International Relocation Service inAndheri India ports capable of handling the large vessel to keep pace with word cargo traffic and growth. The draft has to be increased from current levels of 12 – 14 or 18 meters to at least 22 meters for handling large container ships

The growth of major International Relocation Service in Andheri ports is restricted by the lack of new terminal or development of existing facilities. The existing ports need new berths and terminals to take more cargo and generate more revenue.  All these steps have to be implemented not only at major ports but also at small ports to ensure that major part of Indian exports goes through Indian ships, not foreign ships.