Advancements in Indian ports sector

Rajiv Agarwal, CEO & MD, Essar Ports discusses growth, challenges, and future goals.

How do you view the performance of Indian ports sector last year? How are you experiencing the progress this year?

Ports infrastructure investments particularly have a significant influence on a nation's GDP and its EXIM competitiveness. During FY 24, on all India basis, Indian ports handled ~1,539 MMT of cargo registering a growth of ~7% where the Indian Major Ports registered a growth of ~4% and non-Major Ports registered a growth of ~11% in FY 24. Last year, Essar Ports saw divestment of its 24 MMTPA Vizag Terminal and the company is now focused on enhancing capacity and utilization of existing infrastructures, continue to offer multimodal efficient logistics solutions and ensuring sustainable advantage for our customers.

What is your overview of Indian ports improving their performance on a global level?

Indian ports sector has undergone remarkable advancements in recent years, witnessing significant improvements in both infrastructure and efficiency in operations. The implementation of mechanisation, automation, and state-of-the-art technologies have led to a substantial increase in operational efficiency, resulting in streamlined cargo handling processes and reduced turnaround times.