India is making significant strides in transforming its maritime infrastructure, aiming to reclaim its lost opportunity in transshipment and become a regional shipping hub. For decades, India has heavily depended on foreign ports like Colombo, Singapore, and Port Klang, with nearly 75% of its transshipment cargo routed through these international hubs. However, recent government policy initiatives are paving the way for a revolutionary change.



Boosting Port Draft to Handle Larger Vessels

Traditionally, Indian ports have had a draft of 14 metres, limiting their ability to accommodate large vessels like Panamax and cape-size ships. Recognizing the global need to handle larger cargo volumes efficiently, ports such as Kamarajar, Paradip, and Deendayal are now being upgraded to achieve an 18-metre draft. This enhancement will allow these ports to berth massive vessels, a critical requirement for transshipment competitiveness.



The term "draft" refers to the vertical distance between the waterline and the bottom of a ship’s hull. A deeper draft means that larger and heavier ships can dock, making ports with such capabilities more attractive to global shipping lines.



Strategic Development of Mega Ports

Among the notable infrastructure developments is the Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra, designed to be a world-class mega port. With a natural draft of 20 metres and a planned container handling capacity of 23 million TEUs, Vadhavan is set to enter the top 10 global container ports upon its completion. This port will be a game-changer in establishing India’s dominance in the global maritime sector.



Additionally, the Galathea Bay Transshipment Port in Great Nicobar is being designed as a deep-draft, greenfield port, expected to handle over 16 million TEUs annually in its final phase. This facility aligns with India’s strategy to build ports capable of international-standard transshipment capacities.



Key Container Terminals to Support Growth

Further bolstering India’s transshipment ambitions are upcoming terminals such as:

Outer Harbour Container Terminal at VO Chidambaranar Port, with a capacity to handle 4 million TEUs per year.



Tuna Tekra Terminal at Deendayal Port, planned to manage 2.19 million TEUs annually.



These projects not only enhance capacity but also contribute to the modernization and competitiveness of India’s port infrastructure.



Policy-Driven Progress for Regional Dominance

According to Shipping Secretary T K Ramachandran, these advancements are part of a comprehensive policy-driven push to make India a regional transshipment powerhouse. With cost-competitive services and infrastructure designed for larger cargo volumes, the goal is clear — to reduce India’s reliance on foreign transshipment hubs and capture a greater share of the global shipping market.



Currently, there are 12 major ports in India, all wholly owned by the Government of India and governed under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021. Through this renewed focus and significant investment, India aims to position itself as a self-reliant and globally competitive transshipment hub, thereby contributing substantially to its maritime economy.



Conclusion



The expansion of draft capacities at key Indian ports, along with the development of mega container terminals and world-class infrastructure, marks a significant shift in India’s maritime vision. By enabling ports like Kamarajar, Paradip, and Deendayal to handle cape-size vessels and building futuristic ports like Vadhavan and Galathea Bay, India is preparing to reclaim its rightful place in the global shipping and transshipment map.