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South Asian ports expand capacity and maritime capabilities

Updated 5 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-15 09:36 UTC → 2026-08-26 14:54 UTC · added removed

South Asian ports expand capacity with new investments and maritime capabilities

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, aiming for 10,000 MTPA by 2047. Recent policy reforms infrastructure developments include the Deendayal Port Authority’s tender for a revised captive port policy road link to attract private investment the Tuna-Tekra container terminal and a plan to add over 700 MTPA of capacity ₹221 crore project by 2030 via projects like Vadhavan and Kandla Tuna Tekra. By August 2026, India reported improved 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 modernization and digitalization. Notably, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) ranked 22nd in the World Bank’s Container Kamarajar Port Performance Index (CPPI) 2025. Limited to upgrade General Cargo Berth-1 into a multi-purpose facility. To further reduce logistics costs, improve efficiency, the government has implemented is emphasizing AI, automation, and the ‘One Nation One Port Process’ (ONOP) and is emphasizing AI (ONOP). Commerce and automation to strengthen 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.

Versions

  1. 2026-08-26 14:54 UTC South Asian ports expand capacity and maritime capabilities
  2. 2026-08-15 09:36 UTC South Asian ports expand capacity with new investments
  3. 2026-08-12 22:56 UTC South Asian ports expand capacity with new investments
  4. 2026-08-02 20:03 UTC South Asian ports expand capacity with new investments
  5. 2026-08-01 05:12 UTC South Asian ports expand capacity with new investments
  6. 2026-07-31 18:37 UTC South Asian ports expand capacity with new investments

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