India has the potential to save up to ₹20,000 crore by integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into cargo handling operations at its maritime ports, according to Gourav Vallabh, a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) speaking at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
Addressing a session titled “AI-Powered Ports: Reimagining Efficiency and Operations”, Vallabh said India must embrace cutting-edge technology to modernise its port infrastructure and bolster supply chain competitiveness. He also noted that improved AI adoption could cut logistics costs by around ₹15,000 crore annually on top of savings from cargo handling efficiencies.
“AI is right now in front of us — it is up to us to accept it,” Vallabh emphasised, highlighting that India’s logistics costs, currently around 7.97 % of GDP, remain higher than global benchmarks partly due to limited automation and intelligence in key systems.
AI applications discussed at the summit include predictive analytics for vessel scheduling, automated yard operations, and intelligent systems that can support safer navigation and weather forecasting, which together could improve overall port performance.
Industry stakeholders attending the summit backed the push for technology adoption while noting that AI deployment should complement human expertise and be coupled with governance standards to ensure data security and transparent operations.
With nearly 95 % of India’s trade volume handled through maritime routes, modernising ports through AI and other tech solutions is seen as critical to achieving the government’s “Viksit Bharat 2047” vision and strengthening the country’s global trade infrastructure.
