INDIAN SHIPPING INDUSTRY AT A GLANCE IN 2019-2020 Industry Overview
The total traffic handled at major ports in India during 2019-20 was 704.63 million tonnes, showing an overall growth of 0.82 per cent from previous year in the traffic handled. According to the Ministry of Shipping, around 95 per cent of India's trading by volume and 70 per cent by value is done through maritime transport.
India has 12 major and 205 notified minor and intermediate ports. The Indian ports and shipping industry play a vital role in sustaining growth in the country’s trade and commerce. India is the sixteenth largest maritime country in the world, with a coastline of about 7,517 km.
As of 2019, India has a fleet strength of 1,405 ships with dead weight tonnage (DWT) of 19.22 million (12.74 million GT) including Indian controlled tonnage, with Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) having the largest share of around 30.52 per cent. Of this, around 458 ships of 17.58 million DWT (11.26 million GT) cater to India's overseas trade and the rest to coastal trade.
Market Size
During FY19, cargo traffic at major ports in the country was reported at 699.05 million tonnes (MT). Cargo traffic at non-major ports was 447.21 million tonnes in FY20P (up to Dec 19). The major ports had a capacity of 1,514.09 million tonnes per annum.
Future Forecast
India’s cargo traffic handled by ports is expected to reach 1,695 million metric tonnes by 2021-22, according to a report of the National Transport Development Policy Committee.
