According to official data released during a high-level review meeting by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), India is rapidly accelerating its maritime infrastructure expansion to achieve the government’s Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. Led by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, the national strategy focuses on port capacity building, greenfield shipbuilding clusters, digital transformation, and inland waterways development.
Coordinated execution across major ports, the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), and private sector partners aims to position India as a leading global logistics and maritime powerhouse over the next two decades.
Key Strategic Highlights & Targets
- PA Port Capacity: Targeted additional capacity by 2030 across major and non-major ports.
- Global Ship Recycling Leadership: India maintains its position as the world's largest ship recycling nation.
- Inland Waterways Record: Cargo movement surpassed 200 million tonnes, meeting the Maritime India Vision 2030 target years ahead of schedule
- Higher Mechanisation: Operational cargo mechanisation to rise from 76% (FY 2025–26) to 93% by 2030.
- 100% Digital Maritime Ecosystem: Full digital transformation targeted by 2030 for paperless logistics operations.
- Increased Private Participation: Public-Private Partnership (PPP) cargo handling share projected to rise from 44% to 85%.
- Shipbuilding Surge: Domestic output grew 41% year-over-year, supported by five planned greenfield shipbuilding clusters.
India's Maritime Expansion at a Glance
Strategic Initiative
Progress / Target Parameter
Target Timeline
Additional Port Capacity
700+ MTPA total (306 MTPA Major / 193 MTPA Non-Major)
By 2030
Mechanisation Capacity
183 MTPA additional capacity via automation
By 2030
Cargo Mechanisation Rate
Increase from 76% to 93%
By 2030
Maritime Digitalisation
100% paperless documentation & tracking
By 2030
PPP Cargo Share
Increase from 44% to 85%
By 2030–31
Inland Waterways Cargo
200+ Million Tonnes
Achieved
Shipbuilding Output
+41% growth (40,923 GT to 57,637 GT)
YoY Benchmark
India's Maritime Expansion at a Glance
MoPSW data highlights three mega infrastructure projects as primary anchors for expanding India’s deep-water port capacity:
Project Name
Location / Scope
Expected Capacity
Timeline
Vadhavan Port
Maharashtra (All-weather deep-draft port)
164 MTPA
2030–31
Tuticorin Outer Harbour
Tamil Nadu (Deepening & terminal expansion)
39 MTPA
Under Development
Kandla Tuna Tekra Terminal
Gujarat (Multipurpose cargo terminal)
33 MTPA
2027–28
Together with operational improvements and brownfield enhancements, these initiatives form a broader strategy to add 682 MTPA of specific terminal capacity across the country.
Mechanisation and 100% Digitalisation
To reduce vessel Turnaround Time (TAT) and lower national logistics costs, MoPSW is modernising infrastructure through two core pillars:
- Automation & Mechanisation: Escalating automated cargo handling from 76% in FY 2025–26 to 93% by 2030 to maximize berth productivity.
- End-to-End Digital Transformation: Achieving 100% digitalisation across port operations, customs processing, and supply chain logistics platforms to ensure real-time visibility and paperless trade.
Expanding Private Capital via Public-Private Partnerships (PPP)
Private sector participation is central to funding and operating modern port infrastructure. Under current MoPSW projections:
- The share of cargo handled by PPP terminals will rise from 44% to 85% by 2030–31.
- Expanded private capital will target bulk terminals, multimodal logistics parks (MMLPs), container handling automation, and specialized maritime berths.
Mechanisation and Digitalisation to Improve Port Efficiency
The Ministry aims to modernise India’s ports by increasing mechanised cargo handling from 76% in FY 2025–26 to 93% by 2030. Greater automation is expected to reduce vessel turnaround time, improve productivity, and lower logistics costs.
Digital transformation is another major priority. The government plans to achieve 100% digitisation across the maritime ecosystem, enabling paperless documentation, integrated logistics platforms, real-time cargo visibility, and enhanced operational transparency.
Private Investment to Play a Larger Role
Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects will continue to drive India’s maritime expansion.
By 2030–31:
- PPP cargo handling is expected to increase to 85%
- More private capital will support port terminals, logistics parks, mechanisation projects, and maritime infrastructure
- Enhanced private participation is expected to improve operational efficiency and service quality
Shipbuilding Industry Records Strong Growth
India’s shipbuilding sector is gaining momentum as the government seeks to reduce import dependence and strengthen domestic manufacturing.
Domestic shipbuilding output increased by 41%, rising from 40,923 Gross Tonnes (GT) in 2024 to 57,637 GT in 2025.
The government has granted in-principle approval for large shipbuilding clusters in:
- Tamil Nadu
- Andhra Pradesh
- Gujarat
Each cluster is designed with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million GT.
Additional approvals for Maharashtra and Odisha are expected in 2026.
Shipbuilding Value Continues to Rise
The value of ships being built in India has increased significantly.
Planned Shipbuilding Clusters
MoPSW has granted in-principle approval for five large greenfield shipbuilding clusters, each designed with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million GT:
- Approved Locations: Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat.
- Pipeline Approvals (Targeted for 2026): Maharashtra and Odisha.
Shift Toward High-Value Vessel Construction
Financial Metric
Previous Benchmark
Current Value
Scale Increase
Average Vessel Contract Value
₹41 Crore
₹212 Crore
>5× Growth
This financial increase underscores India’s evolving industrial capability to design, build, and integrate complex commercial and technological vessels domestically.
Industry & Stakeholder Impact Analysis
- Freight Forwarders & Logistics Providers: Benefit from higher vessel turnaround speeds, eliminated port bottlenecks, and seamless shipment tracking via unified digital platforms.
- Exporters & Importers (Cargo Owners): Experience reduced freight demurrage fees, reliable sailing schedules, and lower overall supply chain costs.
- Shipping Lines: Access world-class deep-draft berths, high-speed automated loading systems, and streamlined port call procedures.
- Institutional Investors: Unlock high-yield opportunities across PPP port concessions, greenfield shipyards, logistics hubs, and green port energy transitions.
FAQs
What is India's maritime expansion plan under Visit Bharat 2047?
India’s maritime expansion plan aims to add over 700 MTPA of port capacity by 2030, achieve 100% maritime digitalisation, boost domestic shipbuilding via five mega-clusters, and raise PPP cargo handling to 85%.
Which major port expansion projects are currently under development in India?
The flagship port expansion projects include the all-weather Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra (164 MTPA), the Tuticorin Outer Harbour project in Tamil Nadu (39 MTPA), and the Kandla Tuna Tekra Terminal in Gujarat (33 MTPA).
Why is port cargo mechanisation critical for India's trade logistics?
Port cargo mechanisation speeds up vessel turnaround time, increases terminal handling capacity, reduces manual labor risks, and significantly lowers overall national logistics costs for trade competitiveness.
How is the Indian government supporting the domestic shipbuilding sector?
The government is establishing five greenfield shipbuilding clusters in states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat—each with a 1.2 million Gross Tonnes (GT) annual capacity—while providing targeted infrastructure incentives.
What are the operational benefits of 100% maritime digitalisation?
Complete maritime digitalisation enables paperless trade documentation, automated customs clearance, real-time cargo visibility, reduced port congestion, and improved transparency across multimodal logistics networks.
