NEW DELHI : Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways,informed at Rajya Sabha that, Government of India has reaffirmed that none of the country’s 12 Major Ports has been privatised, clarifying that the ownership of port land and core assets continues to remain with the respective Major Port Authorities and the Government of India, even as private participation in terminal development has expanded through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The 12 Major Ports under the Government of India comprise Chennai Port, Cochin Port, Deendayal Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Kamarajar Port, Mormugao Port, Mumbai Port, New Mangalore Port, Paradip Port, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, V.O. Chidambaranar Port and Visakhapatnam Port.
Except for Kamarajar Port Limited, which functions as a wholly owned subsidiary of Chennai Port Authority under the Companies Act, the remaining eleven Major Ports are governed by the provisions of the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021.
The Government stated that Major Ports continue to provide common infrastructure, marine services and regulatory oversight, while individual berths and terminals are developed and operated either directly by the Port Authorities or through private participation under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model and the Captive Policy, 2016.
Over the past decade, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has significantly expanded private participation in port infrastructure development through transparent and competitive bidding. However, the Government clarified that these PPP projects do not alter the ownership structure of the ports, with all land and strategic assets remaining under public ownership.
Among the major PPP projects commissioned during the last ten years are several world-class container, bulk cargo, liquid cargo and cruise terminals across the country’s major ports. At Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), key projects include the Nhava Sheva Freeport Terminal, Nhava Sheva Distribution Terminal, JSW JNPA Liquid Terminal, and Trident Agro Terminals and Logistics Pvt. Ltd. terminal.
Paradip Port Authority has witnessed one of the largest expansions under the PPP framework with the development of multiple facilities, including a multipurpose clean cargo and container berth, a new iron ore berth, coal handling berths, a dedicated coal import terminal and the Western Dock project.
At Visakhapatnam Port Authority, major PPP developments include VCTPL-II, the Outer Harbour and Inner Harbour expansion projects, West Quay terminals, and new East Quay facilities. Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority has also undertaken extensive PPP projects, including the rejuvenation of Kidderpore Dock and development of multiple berths at Kolkata Dock System and Haldia Dock Complex.
Other notable PPP developments include Berth No. 13 at Deendayal Port Authority, the Iron Ore Terminal at Kamarajar Port, Berths 10 and 11 at Mormugao Port, the Mumbai International Cruise Terminal at Mumbai Port, Berths 14 and 16 at New Mangalore Port, and the 8th Berth, 9th Berth and NCB-III terminal at V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority. Chennai Port and Cochin Port did not commission any PPP terminals during the period under review.
The financial performance of the Major Ports has also registered steady growth over the past five years. Combined revenue of all 12 Major Ports increased from ₹17,671.49 crore in FY 2021-22 to a provisional ₹26,582.77 crore in FY 2025-26, reflecting sustained growth in cargo handling, operational efficiency and infrastructure utilisation.
Among the top revenue earners during FY 2025-26 (provisional), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority recorded revenue of ₹4,356.34 crore, followed by Deendayal Port Authority at ₹3,437.25 crore, Mumbai Port Authority at ₹3,318.74 crore, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Authority at ₹3,126.43 crore, and Paradip Port Authority at ₹2,893.62 crore. Strong revenue growth was also reported by Visakhapatnam, Chennai, V.O. Chidambaranar, Kamarajar, New Mangalore, Cochin and Mormugao ports, underscoring the robust performance of India’s major port network.
The Government further stated that all PPP projects are awarded strictly through open, transparent and competitive bidding under a standardized Model Concession Agreement (MCA), ensuring transparency, competition and protection of public interest.
Reiterating its commitment to the landlord port model, the Government said it will continue encouraging private investment in the development, operation, maintenance and modernization of port infrastructure wherever feasible. The approach is aimed at improving operational efficiency, expanding cargo handling capacity, attracting investment and enhancing service quality, while ensuring that the ownership, governance and overall administration of India’s Major Ports remain firmly with the respective Port Authorities and the Government of India.
