Odisha’s lone major port has retained its No. 1 position in cargo handling for the second consecutive year, driven by the resilience and strategic efforts of its employees, Paradip Port Authority (PPA) Chairman P.L. Haranad announced on Friday during the 79th Independence Day celebrations at the port town.
Located on the eastern coast, Paradip Port has emerged as a key player in India’s maritime sector, earning accolades such as the No. 1 Sagar Anklan certificate for bulk cargo handling and the “Major Port of the Year – Non-Containerised Cargo” award.
The port achieved a record 50 million metric tonnes (MMT) of cargo throughput by the end of July in the current fiscal year — the fastest in its history. It also marked its first-ever handling of EXIM containers in FY 2024-25, supported by services from MSC and RCL, and the new CONCOR Multimodal Logistics Park. PPA is collaborating with the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) to boost marine fisheries exports from Odisha.
Haranad said the port is on course to enhance its capacity to 500 MMTPA by 2047, with the Western Dock Project (25 MMTPA) progressing ahead of schedule to handle Capesize vessels and reduce logistics costs. Infrastructure modernisation plans aim for 100% mechanisation by 2030, with AI-based harbour management, a next-generation Vessel Traffic Management System, and a newly inaugurated state-of-the-art command and control centre at Gate No. 4 to boost surveillance and security.
In alignment with India’s net-zero targets, Paradip Port aims to become a net-zero port by 2050. Plans include a dedicated green hydrogen/ammonia export terminal backed by MoUs worth over ₹50,800 crore, shore-to-ship power systems, procurement of its first green tug under the Green Tug Transition Program, and a 10 MW solar plant targeting 60% renewable energy use.
On the welfare front, the port has initiated projects to secure drinking water for the township, including a ₹100 crore pipeline project, enhanced employee insurance coverage, and the formation of a retirement medical benefit trust. Mandatory safety training for all contractual workers will be introduced from January 2026.
“The vision is to transform Paradip into a smart port by 2030 while contributing to India’s sustainable maritime growth,” Haranad said.
