The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC), India’s government has initiated efforts to boost the capacity of ports along the western coast. The country’s largest upcoming greenfield port, Vadhavan in Maharashtra, which will be one of the IMEEC’s key ports, is scheduled to commence operations in December.
Currently, operational ports on the western coast, such as JNPT, Kandla, Mumbai, and Mundra, are undergoing capacity expansion to meet the growing demand generated by IMEEC. Vadhavan port, with a natural draft of approximately 20 meters near the shore, will enable the handling of larger vessels, including container ships with capacities of 16,000-25,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units).
The world’s largest container handling deep draft ports typically require drafts of 18-20 meters. In contrast, JNPT and Mundra, the two largest container handling ports in India, have drafts of 15-16 meters.
Vadhavan port, designed to handle around 254 million tonnes (MT) of cargo, will be pivotal in accommodating the largest vessels efficiently. Additionally, the establishment of a container terminal at Tuna Terka (Kandla), operational by early 2027, capable of handling vessels exceeding 18,000 TEUs without pre-berthing detention due to tide conditions, will significantly enhance container handling on the western coast.
The initial 1,600-1,800 km of the IMEEC will comprise a sea link connecting ports on India’s west coast with Fujairah in the UAE. These infrastructure developments are part of India’s commitment to facilitating seamless trade along the IMEEC.
