Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal reported a significant decrease of 48.65% in the average turnaround time for ships at India’s major ports, dropping from 93.59 hours in 2013–14 to 48.06 hours in 2023–24. This improvement is attributed to the enhanced efficiency of Indian ports in processing ships and cargo, resulting in quicker clearance and reduced logistical costs. The government has invested in new infrastructure, streamlined procedures through digitalization, and improved hinterland connectivity through rail and road to achieve this reduced turnaround time.
Notable reductions in ship turnaround times have been observed at specific ports, such as Jawahar Lal Nehru Port near Mumbai with an average time of just 26 hours. Other main ports include Deendayal Port (Kadla) at 54.24 hours, Chennai at 44.92 hours, Mumbai at 62.97 hours, and Kamarajar Port (Tamil Nadu) at 44.37 hours. Infrastructure development and capacity enhancement are ongoing processes at major ports, involving construction of new ports and terminals, modernization of existing facilities, and investment in dredging to accommodate larger vessels, as per the Ministry’s berthing policy.
In a recent report by the World Bank and S&P Global Marketing Intelligence, nine Indian ports were recognized in the Global Top 100 of the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2023, highlighting the country’s progress in port development. Minister Sonowal credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Sagarmala scheme for modernizing and enhancing port efficiency. This achievement showcases the government’s commitment to modernize, mechanize, and technologically advance Indian ports for increased productivity and efficiency in ship and cargo handling.
