Vadhvan Port to Elevate India as Top 10 Global Container Port by 2034

Union Shipping and Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal stated that the upcoming Vadhvan port near Mumbai will play a key role in positioning India as one of the top 10 container ports in the world by 2034. This port, located off the coast of Dahanu in Maharashtra and developed through a public-private partnership, will have the capacity to handle large vessels. Sonowal made these remarks at a maritime event organized by FICCI, emphasizing the potential of the PPP project in elevating India’s status in the global container port ranking.

Sonowal highlighted the significance of waterways in sustaining human civilization and fostering international friendships. He noted the substantial growth in the waterways sector, with major ports now handling 820 tonnes of cargo annually – a 47% increase compared to 2014. Port capacity has also doubled to 1,630 tonnes, indicating the sector’s considerable contribution to GDP growth over the past decade.

The minister shared government initiatives to develop Kandla, Paradip, and Tuticorin as green hydrogen hubs, along with the success of the updated shipbuilding financial support policy in securing orders worth Rs 10,500 crore for the domestic shipbuilding industry. Sonowal envisioned India reaching a capacity of 10,000 tonnes per annum by 2047, fueled by advanced infrastructure, technology, and regulatory frameworks. He reiterated India’s ambition to excel globally, citing commitments from a previous maritime summit and announcing a forthcoming event in October with a focus on attracting further investments.

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