New Delhi: In a significant boost to India’s port development programme, nine Indian ports have been ranked among the Global Top 100 in the latest edition of the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2023. The report, prepared by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, underscores the improvements in operational efficiency and service delivery at Indian ports, credited largely to the ambitious Sagarmala programme initiated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, hailed this achievement as a testament to the transformative efforts under the Modi government. “This is a tremendous achievement for Indian ports and a testament to the efforts taken by the Narendra Modi Government to modernize, mechanize, and make them technologically savvy to improve performance and enhance efficiency,” said Sonowal.
Among the Indian ports, Visakhapatnam Port has showcased exemplary performance, with metrics such as 27.5 moves per crane hour, a turnaround time (TRT) of 21.4 hours, and minimal berth idle time. These figures underscore the port’s efficiency in handling container ships and significantly influence customer preference.
Seven other Indian ports also secured ranks in the top 100:
- Pipavav (Rank 41)
- Kamarajar (Rank 47)
- Cochin (Rank 63)
- Hazira (Rank 68)
- Krishnapatnam (Rank 71)
- Chennai (Rank 80)
- Jawaharlal Nehru (Rank 96)
The Sagarmala Programme
Minister Sonowal attributed this success to the Sagarmala programme, a strategic initiative aimed at modernizing India’s ports and enhancing their operational efficiency. “Thanks to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we have been able to work on improving the efficiency of our ports through path-breaking ambitious initiatives like Sagarmala. This has helped us build resilience, incorporate new technology, and green infrastructure to ensure the stability of global markets and sustainability of India’s maritime industry,” he stated.
Future Outlook
With sustained efforts and ongoing modernization projects, the Indian maritime sector is poised to further improve the resilience and efficiency of its maritime gateways, thereby boosting port-led economic development. The Sagarmala programme continues to be a driving force in transforming India’s ports into world-class facilities, fostering economic growth and ensuring sustainable development.
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