India improves port efficiency and maritime competitiveness

India is seeing significant improvements in maritime operational efficiency, with average ship turnaround times decreasing from 52.87 hours in 2021–22 to 48.84 hours in 2025–26. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal attributed these gains to infrastructure modernization, mechanization, and digitalization efforts.

A notable achievement includes the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) ranking 22nd in the World Bank’s Container Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025, placing it competitive with major global hubs like Singapore and Shanghai. The government has implemented initiatives such as the ‘One Nation One Port Process’ (ONOP) to streamline operations and reduce logistics costs.

Complementing these physical infrastructure gains, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal emphasized that technology-driven logistics are essential for India’s long-term development goals. He highlighted that artificial intelligence, automation, and data-driven systems are critical to reducing delays, improving supply-chain visibility, and strengthening the manufacturing and export capabilities of Indian businesses, particularly MSMEs.