Kandla Port, officially known as Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), is poised to make history as the first major port in India to expand its operations beyond state boundaries. The port authorities are currently in advanced negotiations to take over strategic port terminals in Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
A senior DPA official, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the development: “We are in active discussions with certain ports in Maharashtra and Karnataka. We are also in talks with the Gujarat Maritime Board to take over and collaborate on some part of their business and run it in an efficient manner by replicating our operations at Kandla.”
The official further revealed that DPA aims to expand its footprint by subsuming terminals across these states: “We are ownership agnostic. We can go for government or private ports. Our focus is on efficiency, throughput, and decongestion.”
Aiming for Growth and Efficiency
The move comes as Kandla strengthens its position as one of the busiest ports in India. In the last fiscal year, the port handled over 150 million tonnes of cargo, ranking second among India’s major ports, just behind Paradip.
Kandla’s cargo profile is dominated by petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL), which account for 60% of total volumes. The port is also India’s largest handler of salt exports (70%) and timber imports (90%), along with significant volumes of foodgrains, edible oils, chemicals, and containers.
Expansion Projects Underway
Alongside expansion into other states, DPA is also investing heavily in infrastructure within Kandla. Key projects include:
A new deep draft multi-cargo berth with a capacity of 18 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to handle dry bulk, project, and break-bulk cargo.
A 2.3 million TEUs container berth, being developed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, slated for commissioning by September 2027.
Strategic Impact
According to DPA, the expansion will not only increase throughput but also replicate Kandla’s operational best practices at other ports and ease congestion across India’s western maritime corridor.
If successful, this initiative will mark the first time a major Indian port authority expands operations across multiple states—potentially setting a precedent for other ports to follow.
