Thu Jan 08 22:52:00 UTC 2026: # India’s Port Capacity Doubles, Cruise Tourism Surges: Minister Sonowal Highlights Maritime Growth
The Story:
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal announced a significant expansion in India’s port capacity over the past decade at the “Viksit Ports, Viksit Bharat” event in Chennai on Thursday, January 8, 2026. He highlighted a more than doubling of port capacity and a 50% reduction in vessel turnaround time. Cruise tourism has also experienced a remarkable surge, growing by 400%. The Minister inaugurated and laid foundation stones for port projects totaling ₹235 crore, emphasizing improved infrastructure and efficiency.
Key Points:
- India’s port capacity has more than doubled in the last 10 years.
- Vessel turnaround time has been reduced by 50%.
- Cruise tourism has grown by 400%.
- Nine major Indian ports rank in the top 100 ports globally.
- Minister Sonowal inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for projects worth ₹235 crore at Chennai and Kamarajar Ports.
- Under the Sagarmala Programme in Tamil Nadu, 54 projects worth ₹37,617 crore have been completed out of 98 projects worth ₹93,400 crore.
- Kamarajar Port handled 48.41 million tonnes of cargo in FY 2024–25, with a growth rate of around 7%.
- The World Bank ranked Kamarajar Port as the 3rd best small container port in the 2023 Container Port Performance Index.
Key Takeaways:
- India is making significant strides in maritime infrastructure development, enhancing its global competitiveness.
- The Sagarmala Programme is playing a crucial role in modernizing and expanding port facilities across the country.
- Increased efficiency in port operations is contributing to economic growth and attracting more international trade.
- Growth in cruise tourism indicates a positive trend in the tourism sector and potential for further expansion.
- Kamarajar Port’s high ranking in global performance indices reflects its operational excellence.
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