Gujarat Charts New Course With Greenfield Port City Initiatives

The Gujarat government has embarked on an ambitious integrated port development strategy, attracting investments worth thousands of crores to enhance port infrastructure and trade capabilities. Take a look at them:

● Bhavnagar’s Brownfield Port:
A concession agreement worth ₹4,024 crore has been signed to develop a brownfield port in northern Bhavnagar, aiming to boost maritime trade.

● Chhara LNG Terminal (Gir Somnath):
This newly constructed terminal, backed by ₹4,239 crore in private investment, became operational in 2024, strengthening Gujarat’s LNG handling capacity.

● Dahej Port Expansion:
Two new jetties are under construction:
 > A jetty by Petronet LNG with an investment of ₹1,656.15 crore.
 > A jetty by Gujarat Chemical Port Terminal at a cost of ₹3,322 crore.

● Hazira Bulk General Cargo Terminal:
A multi-purpose berth of 182 meters with a handling capacity of 12-15 million metric tons per annum (MMTPA) has been developed at a total cost of ₹3,559.6 crore.

Beyond commercial port development, Gujarat is also investing in enhancing maritime security and industrial infrastructure. The state has allocated ₹430.8 crore for the construction of Coast Guard jetties at Porbandar, Okha, and Mundra. At present, the Okha and Porbandar jetties are under development at a cost of ₹260 crore.

Additionally, a range of projects have been completed to support industries such as ceramics and inland cargo. This includes the construction of pilot boats for port monitoring, upgraded dust suppression systems for environmental protection and construction of a new 485-meter jetty at Navlakhi Port aimed at better cargo handling.

One of the most ambitious developments is the revival of the Port City project, envisioned as India’s first large-scale integrated maritime city. Announced at the Vibrant Gujarat Global Summit 2024, the Port City plans to:

● Cover 500 square kilometers, integrating residential, industrial, and commercial zones
● Feature a multi-cargo handling port with an annual capacity of 250 to 500 MMTPA
● Draw inspiration from international port cities like Rotterdam, Dubai, and Antwerp
● Require a staggering ₹1.5 lakh crore investment, targeting completion by 2047

The Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) has engaged global real estate consultancy Cushman & Wakefield to prepare the master plan. Four key locations — Porbandar, Bhavnagar, Surat and Valsad — have been shortlisted based on proximity to deep-water access, transport connectivity and industrial potential.

This ambitious project echoes a decade-old vision. In 2013, Gujarat had proposed port cities in Mundra, Pipavav, and Dahej, but the plan never materlised. Renewing its determination, the state is now set to realise the dream of a world-class maritime metropolis.

Gujarat dominates India’s non-major ports sector, handling 66% of the total cargo, which is far surpassing Andhra Pradesh (14%) and Maharashtra (9%). Between April and October 2024, the state’s non-major ports — including private giants like Mundra and Pipavav — handled 229 million tonnes of cargo. By 2047, Gujarat aims to quadruple its capacity, targeting 2,200 MMTPA.

Identifying the need for seamless transport, the state is aggressively upgrading port-road and rail connectivity. In total, 18 road projects and 11 rail connectivity projects have been identified to streamline cargo movement and reduce logistics costs. At the same time, the ship recycling industry at Alang aims to double its capacity from 4.5 million LDT (light displacement tonnage) to 9 million LDT. This move is set to further reinforce Gujarat’s dominance in the maritime sector.

With greenfield port developments, massive investments and global-scale infrastructure projects, Gujarat is on its way to become a leading international maritime hub. As the state revitalizes its coastline with cutting-edge facilities and bold urban planning, it is shaping the future of India’s trade, logistics and economic growth.