Located in Maharashtra, Nhava Sheva is India’s largest container port handling over half of the country’s container cargo.
- Faces rising competition from new ports like Mundra and Pipavav
- Handled 5 million TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) in 2023, growth impacted by economic slowdown
- Infrastructure and procedural improvements needed to retain competitiveness
Operational Performance
- Handled 65 million tonnes of cargo in 2023, compared to 72 million tonnes in 2022
- Container volumes grew by only 2% in 2023 versus over 10% growth in the past
- Share of India’s container trade handled has declined from over 60% in 2020 to 55% in 2023
- Port constraints leading to waiting times, diversion of ships to competing ports
Key Numbers in 2023
- Containers: 5 million TEUs
- Total Cargo: 65 million tonnes
- Vessels Handled: Over 5000
- Average Vessel Turnaround Time: Over 2 days
| Performance Parameter | 2023 | 2022 | % Change |
| Containers (TEUs) | 5 million | 4.9 million | 2% |
| Total Cargo (tonnes) | 65 million | 72 million | -10% |
| Vessels Handled | 5000 | 5500 | -9% |
Infrastructure Status
- 4 Container Terminals with total handling capacity of over 8 million TEUs
- 12 Berths with depth over 15 metres to handle large vessels
- Storage area of over 1 million sq. metres
- 6 Railway Lines totaling over 25 kms in length
- Recently added 4th Terminal in 2018 doubled capacity
- On-dock rail facility helps quicker evacuation of containers
- Draft levels sufficient to handle latest vessel sizes
- Equipment availability, maintenance issues sometimes constrain operations
Procedural Improvements
- Electronic delivery orders and payments implemented
- RFID based Gate Management System uses cloud and mobility
- Enterprise Business System links stakeholders on common platform
- Dwell time for import containers remains above global benchmarks
- Further simplification of documentation and clearances required
- Scope for greater digitization and process automation
Key Initiatives Planned
- Capacity enhancement to 10 million TEUs by 2025
- Dredging maintenance to ensure 17 metre draft
- Road connectivity enhancements
- Solar power installation in 400 acres of land
- Masterplan approved to retain and grow market share
- Environmental sustainability a key priority
- Training and skill development to improve productivity
Competitive Landscape
Facing rising competition from:
- Mundra Port (Adani Group): Fast growth to become largest port in India
- Pipavav Port (APM Terminals): Dominates container trade in Gujarat
- Hazira Port: Captive port of Reliance Industries gaining market share
- Competing ports offer deeper draft, superior rail & road connectivity
- Higher productivity and efficiency at some competing ports
Opportunities & Challenges
Opportunities
- Government reforms and infrastructure push leading to cargo growth
- Rising domestic consumption and demand due to expanding economy
- Increased manufacturing and export competitiveness under ‘Make in India’
- Potential traffic from proposed Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor
Challenges
- Significant new port capacity – could lead to hyper competition
- Global slowdown affecting trade volumes
- Maintaining cost and operational competitiveness viz-a-viz new ports
- Ensuring efficiency enhancements and capacity additions on schedule
Technology and Automation
- Initiatives for automated gate complex using AI and analytics
- Plan to deploy automated guided vehicles (AGVs) for inter-terminal transport
- Blockchain solutions being evaluated for documentation processing
- Discussions with tech providers like IBM and Cisco for modern solutions
- Digital port project to monitor operations and enable swift decisions
- Aim to improve productivity and lower costs through technology
- Increased visibility and control over entire logistics chain
- Will bring the port on par with global ports in terms of automation
Environmental Sustainability
- Shore-to-ship power supply to reduce emissions from vessels
- Solar energy installations to meet 20% of port’s power needs
- Ban on single-use plastic within port premises
- Carbon footprint tracking and initiatives to go carbon neutral
- Focus on energy efficiency in port vehicles and equipment
- Aligning with India’s COP26 commitments on sustainability
- Reducing environmental impact of expanding port activities
- Greener ecosystem to benefit surrounding communities
Human Capital Development
- National Academy of Ports and Logistics offering specialized courses
- Plan large scale skilling and re-skilling of workforce
- Developing talent for emerging areas like AI, ML and data analytics
- Study tours and knowledge exchange programs with global ports
- Collaboration with international agencies like World Bank arm IFC
- Ensuring availability of skilled manpower for port expansion
- Creating future-ready talent for evolving maritime sector
- Alignment with national skill development and jobs creation agenda
As India’s premiere container port, Nhava Sheva will play a pivotal role in enabling trade competitiveness and economic growth through infrastructure enhancement and adoption of modern technologies. Its ability to effectively meet current challenges while progressing towards a sustainable and skilled future will determine the port’s continued success and leadership.
