About Us
Seaports are important gateways for the trading of commodities between regions and serve as major infrastructure in the logistics chain of activities for the transport of goods.
In India, marine transport has the highest modal share of export-import cargo. Sea routes provide an efficient and cost-effective mode of transporting large quantities of goods. As per Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’s (MoPSW) estimates, traffic at seaports is likely to grow exponentially in the upcoming years.
With the growing cargo traffic across the Indian coastline, it is essential to develop commodity-focussed state-of-the-art Port infrastructure. The major ports in India have a total of 249 berths, 9 single buoy moorings and two barge jetties to handle the cargo traffic.
However, it must be noted that Indian ports largely continue to remain dominated by multipurpose berths (approximately 60%), which evidently is falling short of specialized commodity-focused requirements.
In India, marine transport has the highest modal share of export-import cargo. Sea routes provide an efficient and cost-effective mode of transporting large quantities of goods. As per Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways’s (MoPSW) estimates, traffic at seaports is likely to grow exponentially in the upcoming years.
With the growing cargo traffic across the Indian coastline, it is essential to develop commodity-focussed state-of-the-art Port infrastructure. The major ports in India have a total of 249 berths, 9 single buoy moorings and two barge jetties to handle the cargo traffic.
However, it must be noted that Indian ports largely continue to remain dominated by multipurpose berths (approximately 60%), which evidently is falling short of specialized commodity-focused requirements.
The Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB), is responsible for infrastructure development related to ports and waterways in the state of Karnataka.
The objective of KMB is to facilitate seamless Supply-Chain logistics for Cargo movement responsibly across/within Indian states as well as serve as an international transhipment hub.
The state exports a wide variety of agricultural and industrial goods such as covering silk, sandalwood oil, handicrafts, readymade garments, coffee, iron ore, sophisticated machine tools, electronic products, computer hardware & software goods. In the last two decades, the State has emerged as a major player in the export of engineering goods, readymade garments, leather goods, chemicals, minerals and ores.
The objective of KMB is to facilitate seamless Supply-Chain logistics for Cargo movement responsibly across/within Indian states as well as serve as an international transhipment hub.
The state exports a wide variety of agricultural and industrial goods such as covering silk, sandalwood oil, handicrafts, readymade garments, coffee, iron ore, sophisticated machine tools, electronic products, computer hardware & software goods. In the last two decades, the State has emerged as a major player in the export of engineering goods, readymade garments, leather goods, chemicals, minerals and ores.
Karnataka At a Glance
Karnataka is one of the nine coastal states of India. The State has a coastline ~320 km which houses 13 non-major ports and one major port. Presently, the State of Karnataka is responsible for handling ~4.5% of India’s total port cargo.
The Indian Non-Major Ports have handled about 615 million tons of cargo in FY 2020, out of which Karnataka’s Non-Major Ports have handled ~0.93 million ton.
Despite the presence of thirteen non-major ports, the State’s capacity to handle water-borne cargo is limited. The State requires state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities and the upgradation of the existing ports from shallow-water to deep-water ports to provide adequate draft to handle large vessels.
Karnataka has three coastal districts, i.e., Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. The State currently ranks 7th among all the States and Union Territories in NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
The Indian Non-Major Ports have handled about 615 million tons of cargo in FY 2020, out of which Karnataka’s Non-Major Ports have handled ~0.93 million ton.
Despite the presence of thirteen non-major ports, the State’s capacity to handle water-borne cargo is limited. The State requires state-of-the-art infrastructural facilities and the upgradation of the existing ports from shallow-water to deep-water ports to provide adequate draft to handle large vessels.
Karnataka has three coastal districts, i.e., Uttara Kannada, Udupi and Dakshina Kannada. The State currently ranks 7th among all the States and Union Territories in NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
Positioning the Karnataka Coastline – Strengths
1. Developed Industrial Hinterland
Karnataka has 2nd highest GSDP growth rate among other maritime states due to its developed industrial hinterland. This includes ~40 MTPA of cement capacity, ~25 MTPA of iron & steel capacity and ~10 GW of installed thermal power plant. A developed industrial hinterland provides gateway cargo, which is important for port development. As most of the coastal areas and adjoining industries are under ecologically-sensitive area, both the industrial development of these regions and its rail connectivity with the industrial hinterland has been
limited so far. However, focusing on cargo such as stock & sale thermal coal, pet coke, etc., which uses modes other than that of rail, such as waterways as the primary mode of first/ last mile transportation, , can help in minimising this constraint on development.
2. Serene & Picturesque Coastline
The state has a long coastline with serene beaches, picturesque landscapes and tourist spots such as Karwar, Kundapura, Gokarna, Udupi, etc. The ~320 km coastline of Karnataka, with its beaches and islands aided by rivers, Western Ghats and forests, presents an opportunity for tourism development. The tourist footfall in the coastal regions of Karnataka has been rising steadily. The approval of the Airport project in Uttara Kannada district will further augment tourist footfall in the region.
The Development of niche tourism products such as luxury yachts and cruises, water sports activities, superior tented accommodations, island resorts, heli-tourism and marina development etc shall be major attractions that can attract footfall, especially from urban centres such as Bengaluru and Mumbai.
The Development of niche tourism products such as luxury yachts and cruises, water sports activities, superior tented accommodations, island resorts, heli-tourism and marina development etc shall be major attractions that can attract footfall, especially from urban centres such as Bengaluru and Mumbai.
3. Well Spread and Connected River Network
The state has several waterways, including Almatti, which can be considered for tourism development. Development of boating activities, water sports activities, cafes, and luxury accommodations, as well as the development of infrastructure, such as docking stations for tourist boats, will augment tourist inflow to these spots.
Further, the development of inland waterways shall improve the connectivity of ports to hinterland industrial areas, which will increase export operations from these ports, leading to employment generation and socio-economic development of the region.
Further, the development of inland waterways shall improve the connectivity of ports to hinterland industrial areas, which will increase export operations from these ports, leading to employment generation and socio-economic development of the region.
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CONTENT OWNED AND MAINTAINED BY : Infrastructure Development Ports & Inland Water Transport Department
Last Updated : 08-05-2025 10:50 AM
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