<p>Ports serve as crucial gateways for international commerce. India, with a coastline stretching over 7,500 kilometres, which has now been recalculated as 11098.81 kilometres, holds immense potential in maritime trade.</p><p> The most recent addition to the country’s port network is the Vizhinjam International Transhipment Port in Kerala, which is strategically located close to the international maritime routes and has the all-weather natural depth required to receive ultra-large container vessels.</p><p>The operationalisation of Vizhinjam will serve to reduce the heavy dependence on transhipment ports abroad and to improve the country’s logistics efficiency.</p><p>The Vizhinjam project, or any similar project, is not just about facilitating logistics; it also brings socio-economic benefits. It promises job creation, development of port-related ancillary commercial activities, and even ExIm-oriented industries, apart from giving a boost to coastal shipping and tourism.</p>.Vizhinjam: A port and its promises.<p>Increasing port capacity and providing the most modern cargo handling systems are integral to economic development.</p><p>If India is to turn the global tariff wars in its favour and emerge as a major supplier of manufactured goods to the international market, quality infrastructure is a prerequisite.</p><p>Having ports wait for ships is far more efficient than having ships wait outside ports.</p><p>Unlike in the past, India is developing infrastructure ahead of the need. Following Vizhinjam in the extreme south, two other large port projects are coming up, flanking the western and eastern coasts of India. The Vadhavan offshore Port in Maharashtra and the Galathea Bay Port project in the Great Nicobar Island will be major game-changers.</p><p>The other initiatives include the modernisation of existing ports.</p><p>Many Indian ports are operating below optimal capacity due to outdated infrastructure. Modernizing cargo handling, deepening the harbours and channels, and improving road and rail connectivity to ports will enhance efficiency and reduce turnaround times. The PM Gati Sakthi provides a national master plan for multi-modal connectivity. This will facilitate optimisation, prioritisation, and synchronisation of the projects of different agencies.</p><p>Ports need to be linked to the production centres and the inland markets. Dedicated freight corridors can ensure seamless cargo movement. Projects like the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors should be expanded and integrated with the ports to facilitate faster and more cost-effective transportation.</p> <p>Public-private partnership (PPP), like the Adani group’s development of Vizhinjam, is now the accepted model for attracting investment, technology, and operational expertise. This helps in sharing risks and ensuring time-bound completion of projects.</p> <p>Adoption of appropriate technology is crucial for efficiency. Ports need to deploy smart technologies, like AI-based logistics and blockchain for documentation. An integrated digital platform that connects all port stakeholders – from customs to shipping lines – can drastically cut red tape and improve transparency. The Port Community Systems (PCS) initiative should be expanded and upgraded continuously.</p><p>While Vizhinjam Port represents a significant leap forward in India’s port development ambitions, a concerted effort to modernise infrastructure, digitise processes, and improve connectivity is essential to transform India into a global maritime hub. With the right mix of policy, investment, and innovation, India can realise the true potential of its coastal advantage.</p><p>(The writer is a former Indian Administrative Service officer. He retired as the Secretary at the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India.)</p>
<p>Ports serve as crucial gateways for international commerce. India, with a coastline stretching over 7,500 kilometres, which has now been recalculated as 11098.81 kilometres, holds immense potential in maritime trade.</p><p> The most recent addition to the country’s port network is the Vizhinjam International Transhipment Port in Kerala, which is strategically located close to the international maritime routes and has the all-weather natural depth required to receive ultra-large container vessels.</p><p>The operationalisation of Vizhinjam will serve to reduce the heavy dependence on transhipment ports abroad and to improve the country’s logistics efficiency.</p><p>The Vizhinjam project, or any similar project, is not just about facilitating logistics; it also brings socio-economic benefits. It promises job creation, development of port-related ancillary commercial activities, and even ExIm-oriented industries, apart from giving a boost to coastal shipping and tourism.</p>.Vizhinjam: A port and its promises.<p>Increasing port capacity and providing the most modern cargo handling systems are integral to economic development.</p><p>If India is to turn the global tariff wars in its favour and emerge as a major supplier of manufactured goods to the international market, quality infrastructure is a prerequisite.</p><p>Having ports wait for ships is far more efficient than having ships wait outside ports.</p><p>Unlike in the past, India is developing infrastructure ahead of the need. Following Vizhinjam in the extreme south, two other large port projects are coming up, flanking the western and eastern coasts of India. The Vadhavan offshore Port in Maharashtra and the Galathea Bay Port project in the Great Nicobar Island will be major game-changers.</p><p>The other initiatives include the modernisation of existing ports.</p><p>Many Indian ports are operating below optimal capacity due to outdated infrastructure. Modernizing cargo handling, deepening the harbours and channels, and improving road and rail connectivity to ports will enhance efficiency and reduce turnaround times. The PM Gati Sakthi provides a national master plan for multi-modal connectivity. This will facilitate optimisation, prioritisation, and synchronisation of the projects of different agencies.</p><p>Ports need to be linked to the production centres and the inland markets. Dedicated freight corridors can ensure seamless cargo movement. Projects like the Eastern and Western Dedicated Freight Corridors should be expanded and integrated with the ports to facilitate faster and more cost-effective transportation.</p> <p>Public-private partnership (PPP), like the Adani group’s development of Vizhinjam, is now the accepted model for attracting investment, technology, and operational expertise. This helps in sharing risks and ensuring time-bound completion of projects.</p> <p>Adoption of appropriate technology is crucial for efficiency. Ports need to deploy smart technologies, like AI-based logistics and blockchain for documentation. An integrated digital platform that connects all port stakeholders – from customs to shipping lines – can drastically cut red tape and improve transparency. The Port Community Systems (PCS) initiative should be expanded and upgraded continuously.</p><p>While Vizhinjam Port represents a significant leap forward in India’s port development ambitions, a concerted effort to modernise infrastructure, digitise processes, and improve connectivity is essential to transform India into a global maritime hub. With the right mix of policy, investment, and innovation, India can realise the true potential of its coastal advantage.</p><p>(The writer is a former Indian Administrative Service officer. He retired as the Secretary at the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India.)</p>