India has drawn up a long-term roadmap to expand its port cargo handling capacity to nearly 10,000 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by 2047, with current capacity already crossing 2771 MTPA as of 31 March 2025, according to information provided by the government in the Parliament.
“The Maritime India Vision 2030 and Maritime AmritKaal Vision 2047 havebeen prepared by the Ministry as roadmap for 2030 and 2047 respectively to enhance the Indian ports handling capacity from current level to ~10,000million tonnes per annum (MTPA)by 2047,” Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday (3 February).
“As on 31.03.2025, the Indian Port cargo handling capacity has reached 2771 MTPA,” the minister added.
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As part of this strategy, the government has undertaken a wide range of capacity augmentation projects across major ports over the past five years.
These include construction of multiple oil jetties at Deendayal Port, development of a container terminal at Tuna-Tekra under the PPP mode, and mechanisation initiatives to improve cargo handling efficiency.
At Mumbai Port, works such as the construction of the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal, a third chemical berth at Pir Pau, and deepening of navigation channels are aimed at supporting higher vessel traffic and diversified cargo operations.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port is expanding capacity through the fourth container terminal and the expansion of the Bharat Mumbai Container Terminal, while also advancing plans for an additional liquid cargo terminal and the development of a new mega port at Vadhavan.
Other major projects include capital dredging and berth development at Mormugao Port, multi-user liquid terminal construction at Cochin Port, Ro-Ro facility development at Chennai and Kamarajar ports, and mechanisation along with container terminal conversion at V.O. Chidambaranar Port.
On the eastern coast, Visakhapatnam Port is undertaking berth mechanisation and capacity improvement works, while Paradip Port is developing multipurpose and iron ore berths alongside inner harbour optimisation to handle cape-size vessels.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port is executing several projects including installation of a third rail-mounted quay crane, container and coal berth development through PPP, mechanisation of multiple berths, and the setting up of an LNG floating storage regasification unit at Haldia Dock Complex.
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