# South Asian ports expand capacity with new investments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/indias-ports-set-teu-handling-records > Updated: 2026-08-02T17:42:15.000Z. Sources: 24. Developments: 10. Since early June 2026, South Asian port activity has accelerated. India recorded peak handling at the Dakshin Bharat Gateway and Cochin’s transshipment terminal, while Colombo and Hambantota saw rising throughput. In Bangladesh, Saudi‑backed Red Sea Gateway International invested $170 million in Chittagong, opening a 22‑year concession that lifts capacity from about 250,000 to 600,000 TEU and adds new cranes, a 580‑m berth and extensive storage. The project signals potential further Saudi maritime investment in the region. The surge aligns with domestic programmes such as India’s NMP 2.0 and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047, which target 10,000 MTPA by 2047. A Motilal Oswal report on 19 July projected India’s container traffic to grow 7‑9 % CAGR through FY28, with a 7 % YoY rise to 915 MMT in FY26, and forecast revenue and EBITDA gains for private operators Adani Ports and JSW Infrastructure. NMP 2.0 aims to monetize 44 brownfield projects and unlock roughly INR 1.2 trillion by FY30. A policy announcement on 29 July added a further >700 MTPA of capacity by 2030, including greenfield Vadhavan (164 MTPA), Tuticorin Outer Harbour (39 MTPA) and Kandla Tuna Tekra (33 MTPA). Complementing the capacity drive, India’s Maritime India Vision 2030, Sagarmala and the Cruise Bharat Mission seek to build a cruise‑tourism sector, creating hospitality and transport jobs and promoting floating‑city experiences. The same capacity expansion plan will modernise 13 major ports, integrate them with industrial corridors, logistics parks and multimodal networks, lower logistics costs and boost India’s competitiveness in global trade. On 6 June 2026, the Dakshin Bharat Gateway Terminal at Tuticorin’s V.O. Chidambaranar Port handled a record 168 out‑of‑gauge TEUs in a single day, underscoring the port’s growing role in project cargo and heavy‑engineering logistics. ## Claims - 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. (corroborated by 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. (corroborated by 3 sources) - India targets more than 700 million tonnes per annum of additional port capacity by 2030. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Vadhavan Port is expected to add 164 MTPA of capacity by 2030‑31. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Tuticorin Outer Harbour project will contribute 39 MTPA of capacity. (corroborated by 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. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Kandla Tuna Tekra Terminal will add 33 MTPA by 2027‑28. (single 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. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-02: 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 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-approves-revised-captive-port-policy-to-spur-private-investment ### 2026-07-31: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-expands-maritime-economy-with-cruise-tourism-drive-and-massive-port-capacity-boost ### 2026-07-29: 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. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/india-moves-ahead-with-rajasthan-inland-port-and-canal-project ### 2026-07-19: 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 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/saudi-red-sea-gateway-launches-170-million-chittagong-container-terminal-in-bangladesh ### 2026-07-19: 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. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indias-ports-poised-for-79-container-growth-through-fy28 ### 2026-07-09: 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 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/sri-lankas-hambantota-port-sets-record-cargo-volumes-in-june-2026 ### 2026-07-07: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dp-world-adds-2500teu-vessel-to-india-coastal-shipping-network ### 2026-06-30: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-asian-ports-target-capacity-gains-as-cargo-volumes-rise ### 2026-06-22: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dp-world-cochin-terminal-hits-record-throughput-of-77637-teus-in-may ### 2026-06-09: 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. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dbgt-handles-record-168-oog-teus-in-a-day-at-indias-tuticorin-voc-port --- Cite as: South Asian ports expand capacity with new investments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/indias-ports-set-teu-handling-records