Major Ports of India on Western Coast
The Western Coast of India is dotted with several major ports that are instrumental in handling a significant portion of the country’s maritime trade. The Western coastal plains of India extend from Gujarat in the North to Kerala in the South, passing through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa. It lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.The major ports located on the western coasts of India are as follows.
- Kandla Port
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port
- Mumbai Port
- Mormugao Port
- New Mangalore Port
- Cochin Port
Here are the major ports located on the Western Coast:
Kandla Port
Kandla Port, officially renamed as Deendayal Port Trust in 2017, is a vital maritime facility located on the northwestern coast of India, in the Kutch District of Gujarat. Established in 1952, the port was constructed to serve as a major trading hub, especially after the partition of India, which led to the loss of the Karachi port to Pakistan.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Kandla Port (renamed as Deendayal Port Trust) |
| Location | Kutch District, Gujarat, India |
| Established | 1931, developed extensively after the partition of India in 1947 |
| Significance | One of the major ports on the west coast of India, known for handling a significant amount of cargo, especially in commodities, oil, and container traffic. |
| Ownership | Government of India |
Jawaharlal Nehru Port
Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as Nhava Sheva, is the largest container port in India. Located in Maharashtra, close to Mumbai, it was commissioned in 1989 to augment the port capacity of Mumbai. Managed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, it plays a pivotal role in India’s international trade, handling a significant portion of the country’s containerized cargo.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as Nhava Sheva |
| Location | Located in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Established | 1989 |
| Significance | It is the largest container port in India and a major contributor to India’s international trade and logistics due to its proximity to Mumbai, India’s commercial capital. |
| Ownership | Operated by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust under the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India. |
Mumbai Port
Mumbai Port, one of India’s oldest major ports, is located on the west coast in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Established in 1873, it has played a vital role in the maritime trade of India. Primarily handling bulk cargo, it is known for its deep natural harbour and strategic location, serving both as a key facility for imports and exports and as a hub for passenger traffic.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Mumbai Port |
| Location | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Established | 1873 |
| Type | Natural Deep-Water Harbour |
| Primary Cargo | Bulk Cargo, General Cargo, Passengers |
| Significance | One of India’s oldest major ports; strategic location |
Mormugao Port
Mormugao Port, located in Goa, India, is one of the country’s premier iron ore export ports. Established in 1888, it’s a natural harbor that has played a significant role in the maritime trade, particularly in the export of iron ore from India. Over the years, Mormugao has diversified its cargo handling capabilities to include other bulk and general cargoes.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Mormugao Port |
| Location | Goa, India |
| Established | 1888 |
| Type | Natural Harbour |
| Primary Cargo | Iron Ore, Bulk Cargo |
| Significance | Key exporter of iron ore; one of India’s major ports |
New Mangalore Port
New Mangalore Port, situated in Panambur, Karnataka, is the only major port of the state. Established in 1974, it is known for handling a diverse range of cargoes including crude oil, LPG, coffee, and cashew. It plays a vital role in the economic development of the region, serving the hinterland of Karnataka as well as parts of Kerala.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | New Mangalore Port |
| Location | Panambur, Karnataka, India |
| Established | 1974 |
| Type | Deep-Water, All-Weather Port |
| Primary Cargo | Crude Oil, LPG, Coffee, Cashew, Containerized Cargo |
| Significance | Major port for Karnataka and northern Kerala; key for economic development and trade in the region. |
Cochin Port
Cochin Port, located on the west coast of India in the city of Kochi, Kerala, is one of the major ports in India. Established in 1928, it plays a crucial role in the maritime trade of the region. The port is strategically positioned along major international sea routes and has a natural harbor. Cochin Port facilitates the export and import of goods and is known for its container transshipment facility.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Cochin Port |
| Location | Kochi, Kerala, India |
| Established | 1928 |
| Type | Natural Harbour; Major International Seaport |
| Primary Cargo | Containers, Petroleum Products, Chemicals, Tea, Coffee |
| Significance | Key hub for maritime trade in southwestern India; notable for its container transshipment terminal. |
Major Ports in India
Major Ports in India: The Republic of India has a total of 13 major ports, of which 12 ports are Government-owned and 1 is private. The country has 7517 kilometres of coastline and its major ports handled 795 million tonnes of cargo in FY23.
In this article, we are going to discuss the major ports in India in detail.