Overview on Ports in Maharashtra

A port is a location where ships can arrive and depart to collect and offload commodities or people. Ports are typically present in cities or towns with access to a coastline. Ports are critical to the marine sector and play a vital role in developing the trade and industry of a state. The major and minor ports in Maharashtra are crucial for the state and promote the overall welfare and trade of the country.

Ports are categorised into different types based on a range of variables such as area, depth, function, and ship size. Inland Ports, Fishing Ports, Warm Water Ports, Dry Ports, and Sea Ports are some of the most common types of ports, depending on their geographical features and nature of work. The biggest and the busiest form of a port is a seaport. This is because the harbour of a seaport serves as an anchorage for the safe transfer of both goods and passengers between the seashore and the vessels.

Different types of ports in India

As per the Indian Ports Act, 1908, the ports in India are categorised as minor ports and major ports based on their administrative jurisdiction. While the minor ports are run by the respective governments of the states where they are located, the major ports come under the jurisdiction of the Central Government.

As the name suggests, a minor port has limited capabilities and can release cargo only from coastal trading vessels or lighter cargo vessels. But a major port is equipped with two or multiple berths, and other advanced facilities can discharge a massive amount of cargo (up to 100,000 tons) in a month from ships designed to travel across large seas and oceans.

Maharashtra and its ports

Maharashtra is a state in western-central India. Maharashtra is amongst the most advanced Indian states in terms of industries, trade, and technological advancements. It remains the single biggest contributor to the country’s GDP, accounting for 14% of all-India nominal GDP. It features a 720-kilometre-long coastline along the Arabian Sea. Maharashtra has been the busiest state in India, with numerous ports located along the state’s extended coastline. This important state houses two major ports and 48 non-major ports.

Significance of ports in Maharashtra

A country’s trade is a measure of its economic health. The ports on Maharashtra’s map serve a major role in the growth of the country’s trade and commerce.

• They serve as vital links in the distribution chain between maritime and land transportation.
• They are ideal for hauling heavy and bulky objects to and from India and offshore.
• They also enable the country to participate in global security.
• They generate both direct and indirect economic gains from their operations.
• Due to huge trade volumes, they help generate a significant amount of revenue.

Major ports of Maharashtra

The central government manages the major ports in Maharashtra. Maharashtra has two main ports, both of which are located in the city of Mumbai, the state’s capital. These ports are linked to the rest of the country through railways and roads. The ports account for most of the nation’s shipments, purchases, and trans-shipment.

Here are the two major ports on Maharashtra’s map and their associated details:

• Mumbai Port

Located on the mainland of west Mumbai, the Mumbai Port has contributed significantly to developing India’s maritime infrastructure. Mumbai Port Trust is the administrative body that runs this port. Lying in the middle of the West Coast of India, it handles around 10% of the overall sea-borne cargo handled by the country’s major ports and plays a pivotal role in the growth of trade and business in India. Established in 1873, the Mumbai Port has served as a significant entryway to large vehicles and people for more than a century. Mumbai port is equipped with a natural deep waterfront of 400 square kilometres that provides enough cover for shipping all year.

• Jawaharlal Nehru Port

Jawaharlal Nehru Port on the Arabian Sea is positioned within Navi Mumbai’s Raigad district and is accessible via Thane Creek Bridge. It is located at a distance of only six maritime miles from the Mumbai Port in the east and is run by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust. Commonly addressed as ‘Nhava Sheva Port’, it was established in 1989 and is India’s largest container handling port. This port accounts for over 55% of all container traffic flow between the various Indian ports. It has risen to prominence as a leading container-handling port and is also recognised as the harbour of Nhava Sheva. The port handles freight traffic mostly from or to Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and the rest of North India. It has led to the development of New Bombay.

Minor Ports of Maharashtra 

The state government controls and manages the minor ports in Maharashtra. Every year, minor ports handle only about 10 lakh metric tonnes of trade. They support coastal trade as well as fishing. 

Minor cargo ports in Maharashtra include Dahanu, Tarapur, Dharamtar, Ulwa-Belapur, Trombay, Revdanda, Dighi, Dabhol, Bankot, Kelshi, Ratnagiri, Jaigad, Vijaydurg, etc. Minor ports handle bulk goods such as coals, cement, iron ore, lime, clinker, bauxite, sand, LPG, molasses, etc.

At the moment, just 12 minor ports manage cargo in Maharashtra. This shows prospects for further development of Maharashtra’s maritime facilities.

Conclusion 

Ports are commonly located in towns or cities with access to the sea. Ports can be quite important to a country because they boost commercial wellbeing and the economic scenario. The state of Maharashtra has two major ports, and both are in Mumbai. Mumbai Port is blessed with a naturally deep harbour which provides enough protection for the cargo vessels throughout the year. Jawaharlal Nehru Port though relatively newer to the Mumbai Port, has emerged as a significant container-handling port in the country. Some minor ports are also found in Maharashtra, which the state government of the country manages.