In a significant milestone for India’s maritime sector, nine Indian ports have been ranked among the Global Top 100 in the latest edition of the Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2023, a report prepared by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence. This remarkable achievement was highlighted by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, who credited the ambitious Sagarmala programme for the modernization and enhanced efficiency of these ports.
Union Minister Sonowal emphasized the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, stating, ‘This is a tremendous achievement for the Indian ports and is 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. There has been a significant improvement via operational efficiency and service delivery in the efficient handling of ships and cargo.’
Sonowal further elaborated on the Sagarmala programme’s role in building resilience, incorporating new technology, and developing green infrastructure to ensure the stability of global markets and the sustainability of India’s maritime industry. He expressed confidence that with sustained efforts, the Indian maritime sector would continue to improve resilience and efficiency, boosting port-led economic development.
Vishakhapatnam Port emerged as a standout performer with 27.5 moves per crane hour, a turnaround time (TRT) of 21.4 hours, and minimal berth idle time, highlighting its efficiency in handling container ships and significantly influencing customer preference. Other Indian ports that secured ranks in the top 100 include Pipavav (41), Kamarajar (47), Cochin (63), Hazira (68), Krishnapatnam (71), Chennai (80), and Jawaharlal Nehru (96).
The inclusion of these ports in the Global Top 100 underscores the success of the Sagarmala programme and reflects the Modi government’s commitment to transforming India’s ports into world-class facilities. The ongoing efforts to modernize and enhance the efficiency of these ports are expected to further bolster India’s position in the global maritime industry.
