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13 clusters · 29 sources · 79 days · First seen 3 months ago · Last updated 23 days ago

South Asian ports expand capacity and maritime capabilities

Overview

Since early June 2026, South Asian port activity has accelerated through significant infrastructure investments and record throughputs. In India, DP World Cochin’s terminal hit a record 77,637 TEUs in May, while the company also expanded its coastal shipping network by acquiring the 2,500-TEU vessel DP World Indus. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata is targeting 74 million tonnes of cargo this fiscal year, supported by new PPP terminals.

Regional hubs are seeing substantial growth. Sri Lanka’s Port of Colombo reported a 13.5% increase in container throughput during the first five months of 2026, while Hambantota International Port reached record volumes in June, driven by cargo rerouting due to security uncertainties in the Strait of Hormuz. In Bangladesh, Saudi-backed Red Sea Gateway International officially opened its $170 million Chittagong terminal, expanding capacity to 600,000 TEU.

India is further driving expansion through the NMP 2.0 and Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. Recent infrastructure developments include the Deendayal Port Authority’s tender for a road link to the Tuna-Tekra container terminal and a ₹221 crore project by Kamarajar Port Limited to upgrade General Cargo Berth-1 into a multi-purpose facility. To improve efficiency, the government is emphasizing AI, automation, and the ‘One Nation One Port Process’ (ONOP). Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal noted that technology-driven logistics are essential for strengthening export capabilities.

To reduce reliance on foreign shipping lines—which cost India approximately $75 billion annually in freight charges—the government has approved a ₹69,725 crore package to expand shipbuilding capacity. The National Shipping Board has also proposed a five-year roadmap to add 100 vessels to the merchant fleet, aiming to position India among the top five shipbuilding nations by 2047.

Entities

Sarbananda Sonowal · Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways · National Shipping Board · Vadhavan Port · World Bank

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The Union Cabinet approved a revised captive‑land policy allowing port‑dependent industries to extend concession agreements for up to 30 years without a fresh tender.
[● 3 SOURCES] The revised policy gives existing captive users a right of first refusal in competitive bidding for new berths, jetties, terminals or single‑buoy moorings.
[● 2 SOURCES] India targets more than 700 million tonnes per annum of additional port capacity by 2030.
[● 2 SOURCES] Vadhavan Port is expected to add 164 MTPA of capacity by 2030‑31.
[● 2 SOURCES] Tuticorin Outer Harbour project will contribute 39 MTPA of capacity.
[● 2 SOURCES] India is the world’s largest ship‑recycling nation and inland‑waterways cargo has exceeded 200 million tonnes, meeting the Maritime India Vision 2030 target early.
[○ 1 SOURCE] Kandla Tuna Tekra Terminal will add 33 MTPA by 2027‑28.
[○ 1 SOURCE] An inland‑port and artificial‑canal project is being developed in Rajasthan’s Barmer‑Jalore region, with feasibility studies led by the Inland Waterways Authority of India and IIT Madras.

Timeline

23 days ago

[BUSINESS] 4 sources
India launches major initiative to expand shipbuilding and merchant fleet
India is implementing a massive shipbuilding and maritime expansion plan, including a ₹69,725 crore package, to reduce its $75 billion annual dependence on foreign shipping lines.
about 1 month ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
India improves port efficiency and maritime competitiveness
India's major ports have improved ship turnaround times and efficiency, with JNPA ranking 22nd globally. Officials emphasize technology and digitalization as key to enhancing maritime competitiveness.
about 1 month ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Indian port authorities advance major cargo and infrastructure projects
Indian port authorities are expanding infrastructure, including Deendayal Port’s road links for the Tuna-Tekra terminal and Kamarajar Port’s ₹221 crore multi-purpose cargo berth upgrade.
about 2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
India approves revised captive port policy to spur private investment
India's Union Cabinet revised the Captive Port Policy, extending concessions to 30 years, adding right‑of‑first‑refusal for existing users and allowing direct waterfront access for government entities to boost
about 2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
India expands maritime economy with cruise tourism drive and massive port capacity boost
India is promoting cruise tourism through the Cruise Bharat Mission and planning to add over 700 MTPA of port capacity by 2030 to boost trade and the blue economy.
about 2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 7 sources
India pushes major port capacity expansion and waterfront land reforms
India targets 700 MTPA of new port capacity by 2030, approves a revised waterfront land policy for port‑dependent industries, and advances an inland‑port project in Rajasthan.
2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Saudi Red Sea Gateway launches $170 million Chittagong container terminal in Bangladesh
Saudi Red Sea Gateway opened a $170 million container terminal at Chittagong Port, boosting capacity to 600,000 TEU and marking Bangladesh’s first foreign port‑management concession.
2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 7 sources
India’s Ports Poised for 7‑9% Container Growth Through FY28
India’s ports are projected to see container volumes grow 7‑9% CAGR through FY28, with major ports outpacing smaller ones and private firms APSEZ and JSWINFRA expected to lead growth, backed by policy measures.
2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port Sets Record Cargo Volumes in June 2026
Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port logged record June 2026 volumes – 90,219 vehicles and 80,325 TEUs – as shipping reroutes due to Strait of Hormuz tensions; recent expansions and a $108 M equipment spend underpin the
2 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
DP World adds 2,500‑TEU vessel to India coastal shipping network
DP World’s Shipping Solutions bought the 2,500‑TEU DP World Indus, expanding its Indian coastal fleet to 10 vessels across 14 ports and promoting sustainable cargo transport.
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
South Asian ports target capacity gains as cargo volumes rise
Kolkata port targets 74 MT cargo and 3,000 daily containers via new PPP terminals, while Colombo handled 3.7 M TEUs in early 2026, highlighting growth and strategic challenges in South Asia.
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
DP World Cochin Terminal Hits Record Throughput of 77,637 TEUs in May
DP World Cochin’s ICTT handled a record 77,637 TEUs in May 2026, a 4% YTD rise, with upgraded power, full yard electrification and India’s first port‑co‑located free‑trade warehousing zone.
3 months ago

[BUSINESS] 2 sources
DBGT handles record 168 OOG TEUs in a day at India's Tuticorin VOC Port
DBGT set a new record by handling 168 out‑of‑gauge containers in a single day at Tuticorin’s VOC Port on June 6 2026, overtaking the prior 126‑TEU benchmark.

Sources

bhaskarlive.in · blog.excalidraw.com · businessnewsthisweek.com · businessnewsweek.in · cargoinsights.co · container-news.com · culturalpolicy.com · cyprusshippingnews.com · desitalkchicago.com · india.timesofnews.com · indiaobservers.com · indiaseatradenews.com · indiashippingnews.com · lankanewsweb.net · logisticsinsider.in · m.businesstoday.in · mangalorean.com · maritimeprofessional.com · mxpmag.com · News18.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · portalportuario.cl · shafaq-e.sa · socialnews.xyz · standard.mv · swiftnewz.com · tennews.in · theceo.in · wsau.com

This summary has been updated 5 times: see revision history