Indian Sea Ports

Seaports are known as maritime facilities that can comprise one or more than one wharves where ships are required to dock to load as well as discharge cargo and passengers. 

But nowadays, Sea Ports perform numerous functions as compared to what they used to do decades ago. 

Seaports are vital to any manufacturer’s supply chain plan. Along with this, seaports are ranked based on numerous aspects in today’s time. Some of the aspects could be the amount of automation equipment that they possess their workforce skills, and their access to key markets. 

Sea Ports Situated On West Coast

In any country, water transportation provides the cheapest mode of transport. Currently, there are approximately 14,500 km long waterways. India consists of 13 major as well as 200 minor ports along with a 7517 km long coastline. Under the Port Trust Act of 1963, all the ports are controlled by the Central Government. 

On the West Coast of India, there are six main seaports located namely Kandla Port (Gujarat), Mumbai (Maharashtra), Nhava Sheva (Jawaharlal Nehru Port), Kochi (Kerala), Murmagoa, and New Mangalore (Karnataka). 

Given Below Are The List Of Sea Ports Situated On The West Coast Of India:

• Kandla Port (Gujarat) 

Kandla Port in Gujarat is a tidal port. Kandla Port comes under the trade-free zone. Kandla Port is known as the largest port that is serving the Northern. Also, this port is the very first export processing zone within India. 

• Mumbai (Maharashtra) 

Mumbai Port is known as the largest natural port in India. This port is considered the busiest port of India handling one-fifth of the foreign trade of India in dry cargo as well as mineral oil. 

• Navasheva (Jawaharlal Nehru Port) 

Navasheva Port was established to decrease the amount of traffic on Mumbai Port. This port is considered the largest artificial port in India. 

• Murmagoa 

Murmagoa port is known to manage iron ore export on the estuary of the river Juari. 

• New Mangalore 

New Mangalore port handles the iron ore exports coming from Kudremukh mines. 

• Kochi (Kerala) 

Kochi Port is called the ‘best port in the East’ situated in the Vembanad lake. 

Port Trust Act 1963 

Here are the relevant legal provisions provided under the Major port trust act 1963 under Section 42 based on performance of services by Board or another person –

The board shall have the power to undertake the following services:

(a) Landing, shipping or transshipping passengers and goods between vessels in the port and the wharves, piers, quays, or docks belonging to or in the possession of the Board;

(b) Receiving, removing, shifting, transporting, storing, or delivering goods brought within the Board’s premises;

(c) Carrying passengers by rail or by other means within the limits of the port or port approaches, subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Central Government may think fit to impose;

(d) Receiving and delivering, transporting and booking and dispatching goods originating in the vessels in the port and intended for carriage by the neighboring railways or vice-versa, as a railway administration under the Indian Railways Act, 1890(9 of 1890).

(e) Piloting, hauling, mooring, remooring, hooking, or measuring of vessels or any other service in respect of vessels and

(f) Developing and providing, subject to the previous approval of the Central Government, infrastructure facilities for sports.

Conclusion 

Sea Ports are defined as maritime facilities that are capable of transporting goods from one place to another place. Many kinds of goods can be transported such as raw materials, parts as well as finished consumer products. A country can ease its transportation system by having seaports. 

Nowadays, Sea Ports perform numerous functions as compared to what they used to do decades ago. To ensure the smooth functioning of a country’s economy, it is necessary to have Sea Ports. 

On the west coast of India, there are six main seaports located. Those six seaports are namely, Kandla Port (Gujarat), Mumbai(Maharashtra), Nhava Sheva (Jawaharlal Nehru Port), Kochi (Kerala), Murmagoa, and New Mangalore (Karnataka). All of these ports are controlled by the Central Government under the Port Trust Act, 1963. 

Under Port Trust Act 1963, the relevant provisions included rules and regulations regarding safe water transportation in the Country. This article will help you to know detailed information about Sea Ports of India.