During the year 2023-24, the Major Ports handled total cargo traffic of 820 million tonnes against a combined capacity of 1,630 million tonnes per annum, resulting in approximately 50% capacity utilization. From 2013-14 to 2023-24, the average turnaround time of Major Ports has decreased by an impressive 49%, while the average Output per Ship Berth Day has seen a significant rise of 52% during the same period. India’s logistics performance has significantly improved, rising to 38^th position in the 2023 World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index (LPI), up from 54^th in 2014. This progress is attributed to factors like reduced port dwell times, faster turnaround times and significant advancements in international shipment and delivery timeliness rankings.

Infrastructure development and capacity augmentation of Major Ports is a continuous process. It involves construction of new berths and terminals, mechanization of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for increasing drafts for attracting larger vessels, development of road, rail and waterways connectivity, etc. Further, Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra has been approved to be developed as the mega container port in the country catering the requirement of handling new generation mega size container vessels.

This information was given by the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in Rajya Sabha, today.

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G.D. Hallikeri/Henry

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