Acharya Devvrat on Monday said Gujarat has further cemented its status as a maritime powerhouse, with total cargo traffic through non-major ports operated by the Gujarat Maritime Board reaching 487 million metric tons (MMT) in 2024–25, marking an 8.56 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.
Addressing the Gujarat Legislative Assembly at the commencement of the Budget Session, the Governor cited official figures indicating that Indian ports collectively handled approximately 1,593 MMT of cargo during the same period. Of this, Gujarat’s non-major ports alone contributed 31 percent of the national cargo traffic and accounted for nearly 66 percent of the total cargo handled at non-major ports across India, underscoring the state’s pivotal role in the country’s maritime trade and logistics ecosystem.
Alang-Sosiya Continues as Global Ship-Recycling Hub
Highlighting developments in ship recycling, the Governor noted that the world’s largest ship-recycling yard at Alang-Sosiya Ship Recycling Yard in Bhavnagar district remains a global centre for dismantling end-of-life vessels. The yard currently comprises 155 plots, of which 128 are operational.
Providing historical context, he stated that since 1983, a total of 8,924 ships, aggregating 71 million metric tons (LDT), have been dismantled at Alang.
In response to the recent slowdown in the ship-recycling sector, the state government has extended financial relief by offering a cumulative ₹145 crore rebate in plot charges to shipbreakers between 2021 and 2025.
Maritime Growth a Key Economic Pillar
The Governor emphasized that the robust performance of Gujarat’s ports and sustained activity at Alang reflect the state’s continued focus on strengthening maritime infrastructure, promoting industrial expansion, and enhancing trade competitiveness. He added that the maritime sector will remain a cornerstone of Gujarat’s economic strategy in the years ahead.
