The turnaround time in India's major ports has seen a significant reduction in the past decade, from 93.59 hours in 2013-14 to 48.06 hours in 2023-24. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha, said this is a reduction of 48.65 per cent.
The reduction in turnaround time is the result of various initiatives taken by the government, including construction of new berths, terminals, and parking plazas, mechanisation, modernisation, and optimisation of existing berths and terminals, streamlining of processes through digitalisation, expansion of hinterland connectivity through rail and road, the minister said.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as Nhava Sheva port, in Maharashtra has the least turnaround time of 26 hours, followed by Cochin Port at 33.4 hours, while Visakhapatnam Port has the most turnaround time at 65.86 hours.
The turnaround time of other major ports in the country are as follows:
New Mangalore Port (40.44 hours), Paradip Port (41.61), Kamarajar Port (44.37), Chennai Port (44.92), V.O. Chidambaranar Port (51.36), Deendayal Port (54.24), Mormugao Port (65.61), Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (60.85), Mumbai Port (62.97), and Visakhapatnam Port (65.86 hours).
Berth allocation and vessel sequencing in major ports are done as per the Berthing Policy issued by ministry. "Infrastructure development and capacity augmentation of major ports is a continuous process. It involves the construction of new berths and terminals, mechanisation of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for deepening of drafts for attracting larger vessels, development of road and rail connectivity etc.” a government release stated.