Adani ports commences ops at Colombo West International Terminal

Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. began operations at the Colombo West International Terminal (CWIT), a significant $800 million investment. This automated terminal enhances the Port of Colombo’s capacity, establishing it as a vital transshipment hub in South Asia. The project underscores regional cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated advanced shipbuilding machinery at Cochin Shipyard, highlighting India’s self-reliance in the sector. He assessed the construction progress of India’s largest Trailer Suction Hopper Dredger and presided over the steel-cutting ceremony for two Green Tugs, part of a sustainable initiative.

The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and DP World have amicably settled a longstanding royalty dispute through conciliation. The resolution involves additional cargo commitments from DP World’s NSICT, making them eligible for volume discounts. This compromise, expected to boost traffic and revenue at JNPA, entails recovery of Rs 705 crore through future volume-based royalty discounts.

MV True Confidence, a doomed vessel from a missile attack, is set for dismantling in Alang, a declining ship-breaking hub facing economic challenges. Alang hopes for a revival with stricter green norms and incoming ageing vessels, despite the BIS regulation setbacks and increasing reliance on alternative inventories.

Billionaire Anil Agarwal has highlighted India’s weak presence in global shipping, contrasting its less than 500 commercial ships with China’s 5,000. He urged collective action to boost the Indian shipping industry, stressing that the public and private sectors must collaborate to leverage India’s coastal advantage and enhance its maritime capabilities.

Safesea’s founder SV Anchan believes India’s potential in the shipbuilding industry can be significantly enhanced by the US’s possible tariffs on Chinese-made ships. India can become a key player in shipbuilding with proper government reforms, favorable trade agreements, and investment incentives, leveraging its large workforce and strategic coastline.

The Lok Sabha has passed the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, aimed at regulating vessels trading in Indian coastal waters. Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasized the bill’s importance for boosting maritime commerce and ensuring cooperative federalism. The bill encourages Indian-flagged vessels, excludes fisheries, and aims to optimize the country’s coastal resources for economic growth.

Mundra Port, under Adani Ports, becomes the first Indian dockyard to handle over 200 million metric tonnes of cargo in 2024-25. APSEZ achieved its highest-ever cargo volume in March 2025, with notable increases in container and liquid/gas cargo handling, contributing to an annual total of 450.2 MMT.

Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) celebrated its highest ever cargo handling in 2024-25 with 82.62 MT, marking a new milestone. Despite global trade challenges, key cargo segments saw increased volumes. The port also set a new record for steam coal discharge, aligning with India’s Maritime Vision 2030.

India’s Major ports experienced a 4.35% increase in traffic, handling 854.93 million tonnes in fiscal 2024-25. Gujarat’s Deendayal Port Authority emerged as the top performer with a 13.44% growth. However, Mormugao Port Authority saw a decline of 12.13% in cargo handling.