Sector structure/market size

The Indian coastline is dotted with 12 major ports and 187 minor ports. According to the Indian Ports Association, these major ports together handled a total of 560.96 million tonnes (MT) of cargo in 2009-10, an increase of 5.74 per cent over 530.53 MT handled in 2008-09.

The annual aggregate cargo-handling capacity of major ports increased from 532.07 MT per annum in 2007-08 to 574.77 MT per annum in 2008-09.

There are 27 shipyards in the country, six under central public sector, two under state governments and 19 under private sector undertakings.

Investments

According to the Planning Commission, US$ 19.6 billion will be invested in the ports sector during the Eleventh Plan (2007-2012)

In a major thrust to expand capacity at important ports in the country, the Ministry of Shipping has awarded seven projects worth over US$ 387 million, to be developed through the public-private partnership (PPP) route.

In November 2009, another three projects worth US$ 1.7 billion were approved, to be developed through PPP mode.

Moreover, in January 2010, the Public Private Partnership Appraisal Committee (PPPAC) gave its nod for the proposed US$ 811.7 million mega container terminal at Chennai port.

Furthermore, the government has announced that it will award 21 port expansion projects worth US$ 3.13 billion under the PPP mode in 2010-11. According to Shipping Secretary, K Mohandas, the 21 projects will add about 200 MT cargo handling capacity to the 12 major ports in the country.

Major investments in the sector

• Essar Shipping Ports and Logistics, plans to invest US$ 1.5 billion for capacity expansion and hopes to achieve a turnover of US$ 836 million by 2012.
• Sembmarine Kakinada Limited (SKL), a joint venture between Singapore-based Sembawang Shipyard Pvt Ltd and Kakinada Seaports Ltd, will establish a shipyard at Kakinada port at an estimated cost of US$ 375 million. The facility will be developed over three to five years.
• The Tuticorin Port Trust (TPT) is planning to award projects worth US$ 369 million over the next two years. The proposed investment would enable the port to increase its cargo handling capacity by another 20 million tonnes.
• Adani Group arm Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone (MPSEZ) will develop non-LNG port facilities at Hazira in South Gujarat. Industry sources estimate MPSEZ to invest US$ 174 million in the first phase.
• State-owned Hindustan Shipyard plans to build a dockyard for large crude carriers at an estimated cost of US$ 642.7 million-US$ 857 million.
• ABG Shipyard has bagged orders worth US$ 85.5 million for three cement carriers from Singapore-based Associated Bulk Carriers.