In a significant stride towards fortifying India’s maritime infrastructure, the government is poised to unveil two monumental projects, entailing a staggering investment exceeding Rs 83,000 crore in the states of Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. Anticipated to be inaugurated before the announcement of poll dates, these ventures are poised to rejuvenate the port and shipping sector.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to unveil the Outer Harbour project of Chidambaranar Port in Tamil Nadu, marking an investment of Rs 7,056 crore. The Cabinet, chaired by PM Modi, has greenlit the project aimed at augmenting the port’s capacity by developing four berths, contributing an additional 4 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) to accommodate mega container vessels. This initiative becomes imperative to meet the escalating demand for gateway and transshipment cargo.
Simultaneously, the Cabinet is poised to grant approval for the Vadhavan Port project in Maharashtra, estimated at a colossal Rs 76,000 crore. Nestled in Palghar district, this mega port is set to become the first major central government port developed in over two decades. Boasting nine container terminals with 18 berths, it is projected to possess a combined container handling capacity of 23.5 million TEUs. The port’s development, slated in two phases by 2030, is expected to propel the total cargo traffic to over 300 million ton per annum.
Distinguished by its natural draft of approximately 20 m close to the shore, the Vadhavan Port is strategically positioned to handle larger container vessels ranging from 16,000 to 25,000 TEUs. This depth advantage promises economies of scale and a reduction in logistics costs. Notably, the world’s leading container handling modern deep draft ports typically necessitate drafts of 18-20 m, surpassing the depths of India’s largest container handling ports, JNPT and Mundra, with drafts of 15-16 m, respectively. The Vadhavan Port’s substantial draft signifies a pivotal leap forward in accommodating vessels of superior capacity, affirming India’s commitment to advancing its maritime prowess on the global stage.