- India has 13 major seaports (12 Government-owned and one private) and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports that handle a huge volume of traffic. Ports play a very central role in the development of a nation. Cost, capacity, and easiness of transportation via ports are most effective compared to other modes available.
- About 95 percent by volume and 70 percent by value of India’s total international trade are carried on through maritime transportation.
- All ports in India are situated in the 9 coastal states of India namely Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Gujarat, West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. India’s extended coastline forms one of the major portions of land that juts out into a water body. Thirteen major ports in the country handle a lot of volume of container and cargo traffic.
- On the west coast, there are the ports of Mumbai, Kandla, Mangalore, JNPT, Mormugao, and Cochin.
- The ones on the east coast are the ports at Chennai, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Kolkata, and Ennore. The last one, Ennore is a registered public company with the government owning a 68% stake. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, there is Port Blair.
- Mumbai is the largest natural port in India.
- As you know, Indian government has a federal structure, and according to its constitution, maritime transport is to be administered by both the Central and the State governments. While the central government’s shipping ministry administers the major ports, the minor and intermediate ports are administered by the relevant departments or ministries in the nine coastal states – Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
List of Important Ports in India
- The list of important major ports in India is given below:
| Zone | State | Port |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Coast | Tamil Nadu | Chennai |
| Western Coast | Kerala | Kochi (Cochin) |
| Eastern Coast | Tamil Nadu | Ennore |
| Eastern Coast | West Bengal | Kolkata (Haldia) |
| Western Coast | Gujarat | Kandla |
| Western Coast | Karnataka | Mangalore |
| Western Coast | Goa | Mormugao |
| Western Coast | Maharashtra | Mumbai Port Trust |
| Western Coast | Maharashtra | Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) also known as Nhava Sheva, Navi Mumbai |
| Eastern Coast | Odisha | Paradip |
| Eastern Coast | Tamil Nadu | Tuticorin |
| Eastern Coast | Andhra Pradesh | Visakhapatnam |
| Bay of Bengal | Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
1. Chennai Port
- Chennai Port, formerly known as Madras Port, is the second-largest container port of India, behind Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva (JNPT). The port is the largest one in the Bay of Bengal.
- It is an artificial and all-weather port with wet docks.
- It is due to the existence of the port that the city of Chennai eventually became known as the Gateway of South India.
2. Kochi (Cochin) Port
- Cochin Port or Kochi Port is a major port on the Arabian Sea – Laccadive Sea – Indian Ocean sea-route in the city of Kochi and is one of the largest ports in India. It is also the first transshipment terminal in India.
- The port lies on two islands in the Lake of Kochi: Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam, towards the Fort Kochi river mouth opening onto the Laccadive Sea.
- Kochi Port in Kerela is the example of Tidal port .
- The port is generally called as the natural gateway for the industrial and agricultural produce markets of South-West India.
- Exports of spices, tea, and coffee.
- It is one of the centers for shipbuilding.
3. Ennore Port
- India’s First corporatized port and 12th major port of India.
- It is located on the Coromandel Coast about 24 km north of the Chennai Port.
- Trades: Iron Ore, Coal, petroleum products and chemicals.
4. Kolkata Port
- Port of Kolkata or Kolkata Port, officially known as Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust, is the only riverine major port of India, located in the city of Kolkata, West Bengal, around 203 kilometres from the sea.
- It is the oldest operating port in India and was constructed by the British East India Company.
- Kolkata is a freshwater port with no variation in salinity.
- Known as Diamond Harbour
- Known for twin dock systems viz. Kolkata Dock on the eastern bank and Haldia Dock on the western bank of river Hooghly
- Trade: Jute, tea, Coal, Steel
5. Kandla Port
- Deendayal Port Trust, located in town of Kandla, is a seaport and town in Kutch district of Gujarat state in Western India, near the city of Gandhidham.
- Located on the Gulf of Kutch, it is one of major ports on the west coast.
- Known as Tidal Port
- It was constructed after partition when Karachi Port was transferred to Pakistan.
- It also relieves the congestion of Mumbai Port
- Largest port by volume of cargo handled.
- It has been acknowledged as Trade Free Zone.
6. Mangalore Port
- It is deep water, all weathered port.
- Deals with the iron ore exports
- It is the only major port of the coastal state of Karnataka.
7. Mormugao Port
- Situated on the estuaries of the river Juari
- It is a natural harbour
- It was awarded the status of a major port in the year 1963.
- It is a leading iron ore exporting port in India.
8. Mumbai Port Trust
- Largest Natural Port and harbor in India
- Earlier, this port location was used by the navies of Shivaji.
- This port has 3 enclosed wet docks:
- Prince’s Dock
- Victoria Dock
- Indira Dock
- The busiest Port in India
- Jawahar Dweep is an island in the harbor, for Crude and petroleum products handling.
9. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT)
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) also known as Nhava Sheva, Navi Mumbai.
- Largest Artificial Port and also the largest container port of India.
- The name Nhava Sheva is given because of the names of two villages that existed in that area.
- It is located on the eastern shore of Mumbai harbor off Elephanta Island and can be accessed via Thane Creek.
- This port is the terminal point of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor of Indian Railways.
- Trade: Textiles, sporting goods, carpets, pharmaceuticals, chemicals etc.
10. Paradip Port
- First Major Port commissioned after Independence.
- Located at the confluence of Mahanadi river and Bay of Bengal.
- Deals with the export of iron and aluminum and Iron ore is exported to Japan in huge quantity.
11. Tuticorin Port
- This port has been renamed as V.O.Chidambaranar Port.
- It is an artificial port located in the Gulf of Mannar.
- It is famous for pearl fishery in the Bay of Bengal and thus also known as the pearl city.
- Trade: coal, salt, petroleum products, and fertilizers.
12. Visakhapatnam Port
- This port is a natural harbor and also is the 2nd largest port by volume of cargo handled.
- Port is located midway between the Chennai Port and Kolkata Port.
- The deepest port of India deals with the export of iron ore to Japan. Amenities for building and fixing of ships are available.
- Trade: Iron Ore, Coal, Alumina and oil.
13. Port Blair
- The port connected to the mainland of India through ship and flight. This port is situated in between two international shipping lines namely Saudi Arabia & US Singapore.
