India’s 7,500-km coastline has long been an underused asset. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, however, the waterfront has been recast as a fulcrum for national power.

Data reveals a sector in unprecedented expansion: cargo-handling capacity has surged by 87.6 per cent under the NDA government, rising from 1,399.99 million metric tonnes per annum (MMTPA) in 2013-14 to 2,627 MMTPA in 2022-23. This remarkable growth, however, represents only the foundation of Modi’s vision for India as a global maritime powerhouse by 2047.

Historically a neglected asset in India, ports are now surging upwards. Major ports now handle 855 million tonnes of cargo annually, a 4.3 per cent increase from the previous year, while achieving a 48 per cent improvement in average turnaround time, from 96 hours in 2014-15 to 49.5 hours in 2024-25. These efficiency gains position Indian ports ahead of developed economies, with container dwell times averaging just 2.6 days compared to 6-7 days at major US ports.

Closing the Gap

Modi’s maritime transformation has fundamentally altered India’s position in global logistics rankings. The World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index reflects this progress, with India rising from 54th position in 2014 to 38th in 2023. More significantly, nine Indian ports now feature among the world’s top 100, with Visakhapatnam Port ranking 19th globally for container performance.

Whilst India’s logistics costs have fallen to 10 per cent of GDP—targeting single-digit levels by year-end—China’s equivalent figure remains at 14.4 per cent. Union minister Nitin Gadkari emphasised the impact: “Turnaround times at ports are down by 45 per cent, and transport costs have dropped by 25 per cent".

The National Logistics Policy, launched in September 2022, provides the strategic framework for this transformation. Through its four pillars: digital integration, Unified Logistics Interface Platform, ease of logistics, and system improvement, the policy coordinates logistics development across 16 ministries.

The PM Gati Shakti Master Plan complements this approach, utilising GIS-enabled digital platforms to ensure coherent multimodal infrastructure development. These initiatives have already reduced port dwell times from 3.4 days in 2018 to 2.6 days in 2023, delivering benefits to exporters and importers nationwide.

Sagarmala and........

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