India has made a remarkable achievement in the global port rankings, with nine of its major ports making it to the Global Top 100 for the first time.
The Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2023, developed by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence, highlighted the resilience, efficiency, and overall performance of ports worldwide.
Visakhapatnam Port’s Remarkable Leap
Visakhapatnam Port has shown extraordinary improvement, rising to the 19th position in 2023 from 115th in 2022. This achievement is a significant milestone for India, marking the highest rank ever achieved by an Indian port.
Mundra Port’s Notable Rise
Mundra Port also demonstrated significant progress, moving up to the 27th spot from its previous rank of 48. This advancement reflects the ongoing efforts to enhance the efficiency and performance of India’s ports.
Role of Sagarmala Programme
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, attributed this success to the ambitious Sagarmala programme. This initiative, envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focuses on the modernisation and mechanisation of ports to improve their operational efficiency and service delivery.
Minister’s Statement
Speaking about the achievement, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal said, “This is a tremendous achievement for Indian ports and a testament to the efforts taken by the Narendra Modi Government to modernise and make them technologically savvy.
The improvement in operational efficiency and service delivery in handling ships and cargo is significant. Thanks to the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, we have enhanced the efficiency of our ports through initiatives like Sagarmala, incorporating new technology and green infrastructure.”
Performance Metrics
Visakhapatnam Port showcased strong performance with 27.5 moves per crane hour, a turnaround time (TRT) of 21.4 hours, and minimal berth idle time. These metrics emphasize the port’s efficiency in handling container ships and influencing customer preference.
Other Indian Ports in Top 100
Apart from Visakhapatnam and Mundra, seven other Indian ports made it to the top 100 list: Pipavav (41), Kamarajar (47), Cochin (63), Hazira (68), Krishnapatnam (71), Chennai (80), and Jawaharlal Nehru (96).
The inclusion of nine Indian ports in the Global Top 100 is a significant boost for India’s port development programme. With continuous efforts and the implementation of innovative initiatives, India is set to further enhance the resilience and efficiency of its maritime gateways, driving economic growth through port-led development.
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