As part of its efforts to strengthen the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the government has initiated the task of enhancing the capacity of ports on the western coast to meet future demand.
Construction on India’s largest upcoming greenfield port at Vadhavan in Maharashtra, which will also serve as one of the corridor’s ports, is scheduled to commence this December. This INR 65,500 Crore Vadhavan port will ensure that India is fully prepared to accommodate the increased demand expected from IMEC.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways states that the new port, located close to the shore, possesses a natural draft of about 20 meters, enabling it to accommodate larger vessels. The new port’s capacity is designed to handle approximately 254 million tonnes (MT) of cargo.
Furthermore, a container terminal at Tuna Terka (Kandla) is being established and is expected to commence operations by early 2027. This terminal will have the capability to handle next-generation vessels, contributing significantly to increased container handling on the western coast.
The initial 1,600-1,800 km of the IMEC will comprise the sea link connecting ports on India’s west coast with Fujairah in the UAE.