Ports

Govt designates CISF as main security organisation for seaports

In a move to strengthen security across major and minor Indian seaports, the Centre has designated the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) as the new safety regulator for the about 250 maritime facilities, officials said on Friday. The designation of the central paramilitary force under the Union Home Ministry has been done by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways through an order issued on November 18, CISF Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Ajay Dahiya said. This is a significant reform and a path-breaking step to enhance security across India's seaports. As ports play a vital role in trade, logistics and India's growing Blue Economy, the government is introducing a series of measures to modernise and standardise port security nationwide, he said. The CISF has been designated as a Recognised Security Organisation (RSO) for seaports. An RSO acts as a regulator for seaport security. Till now, there was no professional security organisation for seaports, and the subject was

GMB, APM Terminals Pipavav ink ₹17,000 crore MoU to boost Gujarat ports

The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) and private entity Gujarat Pipavav Port Ltd on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for an investment of Rs 17,000 crore here with the aim to strengthen the maritime sector of Gujarat. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and A P Moller-Maersk Board Chairman Robert Maersk Uggla were present on the occasion. Pipavav Port or APM Terminals Pipavav, partly owned by A P Moller-Maersk, is a major private port located near Rajula in Amreli district of Gujarat, while the GMB is a government agency that manages and regulates ports in the state. "The objective of this MoU is to further strengthen the maritime sector of Gujarat through the capacity expansion of Pipavav Port," stated an official release. This project will create about 25,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities, giving new impetus to the local economy and improving the standard of living in rural areas, it said. "It will increase the existing container, bulk, liquid and Ro-Ro

Shipping ministry receives ₹10 trn investment commitments: Secy Vijay Kumar

The investment interests are meant for various locations within the country and have been received from both international and domestic private and public sector companies

Work in full swing on ₹1 trillion port connectivity projects: Nitin Gadkari

Nitin Gadkari said multiple port connectivity projects covering 2,700 km will draw ₹1 trillion investment by 2030, while expressway and ropeway projects also progress

SMPK signs concession agreement with JSW Infra for ₹740 cr project

The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), on Monday signed a 30-year concession agreement with JSW Infrastructure Ltd for a Rs 740-crore project. The agreement provides for reconstruction of berth 8 and installation of rail-mounted quay cranes (RMQC) at berths 7 and 8 at Netaji Subhas Dock under the Kolkata Dock System, to enable faster container cargo handling, supported by a 25-acre backup area, a statement said. The concession has been awarded for 30 years, with the terminal projected to handle 5 lakh TEUs annually, it said. SMPK Chairman Rathendra Raman said the project reflects the port's commitment to strengthening infrastructure and trade facilitation in line with the Centre's vision of world-class ports. The signing ceremony was attended by Raman, Deputy Chairman Samrat Rahi, senior officials of the Kolkata Dock System and representatives from JSW Infra Ltd, including Director Devki Nandan.

We're creating a system for shipbuilding in India, says Sarbananda Sonowal

First phase [of Vadhavan port] is expected to be completed by 2029 and second by 2037, says Sonowal

RS takes up Indian Ports Bill, passed by LS on Aug 12, amid Oppn walkout

A bill to consolidate laws relating to ports, promote integrated port development, facilitate ease of doing business, and ensure optimum utilisation of India's coastline was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, amid noisy protests by the Opposition. The Indian Ports Bill 2025 was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 12. As the Upper House reassembled at 2 pm, BJD's Sasmit Patra, who was in the Chair, informed the legislators that the Business Advisory Committee had decided to allot three hours for discussion on the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025. He also said that the committee has approved one hour for consideration and passage of the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill 2025, after it is approved by the Lok Sabha. Patra then asked Union Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to introduce the Indian Ports Bill 2025, which was listed on the agenda of the House. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge

Kolkata port signs ₹343.58 crore deal for Haldia berth mechanisation

The Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK) on Thursday awarded a Rs 343.58 crore public-private partnership (PPP) project to Ganges Bulk Terminal Pvt. Ltd. (GBTPL) for the mechanisation of berth No. 5 at Haldia Dock Complex, aiming to improve cargo handling efficiency, officials said. The project, to be implemented on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) basis, will equip the berth to handle 5 million metric tonnes of dry bulk cargo annually, they added. It is targeted for completion by December 2027, SMPK said in a statement. GBTPL will invest Rs 343.58 crore, while the government will provide Rs 22.30 crore through internal and extra budgetary resources, the riverine port said. SMPK chairman Rathendra Raman said it will improve operational capabilities, and strengthen eastern India's role in maritime trade. According to port authorities, the mechanisation will reduce vessel turnaround time, increase throughput, and deliver long-term economic benefits for

Minister Sonowal to inaugurate Bimstec ports conclave in Vizag on July 14

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal will inaugurate the second Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) ports conclave in Visakhapatnam on July 14. The two-day event, to be held until July 15, aims to enhance regional maritime cooperation under the BIMSTEC framework, said an official press release. "BIMSTEC enhances regional unity through maritime cooperation and trade connectivity, said T Venu Gopal, secretary, Visakhapatnam Port Authority. During his visit, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways is also expected to inaugurate completed development projects and lay foundation stones for upcoming port infrastructure. Themed Navigating the Future: Blue Economy, Innovation & Sustainable Partnerships', the conclave will bring together ministerial delegations, port authorities, maritime experts, and business leaders from BIMSTEC member countries. Delegates from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand have

JSW Infrastructure bags ₹740 crore project to develop Kolkata port

The project comes with a 30‐year concession period under the government's initiative to privatise ports

Adani-operated Haifa Port unaffected in Iran's missile strike on Israel

Haifa Port, 70 per cent owned by Adani Ports, was not damaged during Iran's missile strike on Israel, though parts of a refinery and chemical terminal were hit

AM Green, Rotterdam Port partner for $1 bn India-Europe green fuel corridor

AM Green, backed by the founders of Greenko, has signed a pact with the Port of Rotterdam Authority to build a green energy supply chain between India and Northwestern Europe. The partnership would enable annual trade of 1 million tonnes of green fuels worth up to USD 1 billion, linking India's emerging green hydrogen clusters with Europe's largest energy port of Rotterdam. In a statement, the firm said it has signed a memorandum of understanding for "building a green energy supply chain between India and Northwestern Europe via Rotterdam, Europe's first energy port and a key hydrogen carrier's entry point". This includes the supply of bunkering fuels and Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs) and analysing requirements for the development of terminal infrastructure in Rotterdam and along the supply chain to Northwestern Europe. The partnership will jointly support the development of strategic port infrastructure for safe distribution of hydrogen-based fuels and products, and link India

Container cargo surge propels Kolkata Port's April 2025 growth at 45%

A sharp rise in cargo volumes and a significant jump in container traffic have propelled Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata, to the top of the growth chart among India's major ports in April 2025, with 45.32 per cent year-on-year increase in throughput. The SMP, formerly known as Kolkata Port Trust, handled 5.967 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo in April 2025 compared to 4.106 MMT in the same month last year, the highest growth recorded among all major ports in the country. A key driver of this growth was a 31.18 per cent surge in container traffic, with the port handling 75,716 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), up from 57,717 TEUs in April 2024, the port said. It comprises 62,021 TEUs at the Kolkata Dock System (KDS) and 13,695 TEUs at the Haldia Dock Complex (HDC). At the dock level, HDC handled 4.363 MMT, registering a 45 per cent increase from 2.993 MMT in April 2024, while KDS handled 1.604 MMT, a rise of 44 per cent from 1.113 MMT last year. The growth was ..

From protest to prosperity: Vizhinjam port offers new hope for local youth

Just a few years ago, the name Vizhinjam was at the heart of fierce protests. Now, it is being spoken of as a symbol of opportunity and progress, especially among the youth in this coastal village. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially commissioned the Vizhinjam International Seaport, a project once met with strong resistance from the local fishermen community. Today, it stands as a source of pride and employment for many of those same residents. "Who wouldn't want a good job in their hometown?" asked Rahul, a young man from the fishermen community, stepping out of the port wearing his safety helmet and uniform. He is among the 35 per cent of port workers who are from Vizhinjam. Many more are hoping to follow his lead. The port has slowly changed public opinion in the area. Years of protests, supported by the local Church, brought life in Vizhinjam to a standstill for over four months. It was only after a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan that the ..

NEERI to study environmental impact of Rs 76,200 cr Vadhavan Port project

The decision was taken following the Supreme Court's verdict in February, which directed the Centre to appoint an independent agency to assess the impact

Policy allowing captive port berths to PSUs by nomination likely soon

In exchange, the operator pays royalty based on cargo volumes to the port authority. There are around 24 captive waterfront facilities at major ports

At least 18 killed, 750 injured in explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas port

Helicopters and aircraft dumped water from the air on the raging fire through the night into Sunday morning at the Shahid Rajaei port

Pahalgam terror attack: Merchant vessels told to be cautious at Pak ports

The regulator has asked all relevant stakeholders to be in touch with its office and monitor communications from it regularly

Jefferies bullish on ports; Picks JSW Infra over Adani amid tariff tensions

Jefferies noted that amid the tariff uncertainty, JSW Infra is placed better compared to Adani Ports

Cargo at state-owned ports grew by 4.4% to 855 mmt in FY25, shows data

According to the provisional data, Deendayal Port or Kandla Port and Paradip Port in Odisha handled the highest cargo out of all major ports at 150 mmt each