New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA) will handle 100 million tonnes of cargo in the next 22 years, according to Sarbananda Sonowal, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways .
Speaking at the golden jubilee celebrations of NMPA on Thursday, he said the port was inaugurated in 1975 and handled around 90,000 tonnes then. It handled 46.7 million tonnes (mt) in 2024-25. It will handle around 100 mt of cargo by 2047.
Stating that the maritime sector in India is witnessing a rapid growth, Sonowal said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants Indian ports to handle 10,000 mt of cargo by 2047. He added that he is confident of achieving that target by 2047.
Referring to Prime Minister’s direction to improve the ship building capacity of the country, the Minister said that India will be among the top-10 ship building nations by 2030, and among the top-5 nations by 2047.
Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, and Minister of New and Renewable Energy, said India has emerged as the fourth largest economy in the world under the leadership of Modi.
Stating that India would soon emerge as the third largest economy in the world, he said India’s manufacturing and exports should be increased to compete with other major economies such as the US and China. Initiatives have been taken to increase India’s manufacturing capabilities along with service activities.
He also highlighted the role of India’s port sector in boosting overall exports from the country. More thrust is given to bring down logistics cost to improve export activities from the country, he added.
Capt Brijesh Chowta, Member of Parliament from Dakshina Kannada, said that Mangaluru is a major education hub in Karnataka, and requested the Shipping Minister to initiate steps to establish a maritime university in the region .
Highlighting various road works related to the port connectivity, he said an integrated road and rail network in Shirady ghat section (which connects Mangaluru with Bengaluru) would help unlock the overall potential of NMPA to a greater extent. Steps have been initiated in this regard, he said.
AV Ramana, Chairman of the NMPA, said the profit after tax (PAT) of the port stood at ₹450 crore in 2024-25. NMPA is likely to register a PAT of ₹550 crore in 2025-26.
Stating that NMPA is a 100 per cent solar and green port, he technological initiatives such as robotic fire fighting facility and drone surveillance of the port have been taken up.
Highlighting the role of NMPA in the development of cashew industry in Karnataka, AK Rao, President of Karnataka Cashew Manufacturers’ Association, said that cashew industries in Karnataka import around 5 lakh tonnes of raw cashew nuts and export around 20,000 tonnes of cashew kernel. Cashew industry in Karnataka, which is celebrating its 100 years on November 14-16, provides employment to around 80,000 women in the State, he added.
