Not many people anticipated the transformation of Mundra Port 25 years ago as it welcomed to its docs the MT Alpha2 on October 7, 1998, to unload cargo. At present, defying all odds, the Mundra Port stands as a monumental achievement in India’s maritime history and a testament to the vision of Gautam Adani, a once ‘not-so-known’ businessman who rose to become India’s biggest port operator.
Achieving Milestones:
Since it was established, the Mundra Port has achieved remarkable milestones. To start with, in 2014, it was named India’s largest commercial port by volumes handled. Notably, it was the first commercial port in India to handle 100 million tonnes (mt) of cargo and later achieved 150 mt. The port handled 155.4 mt of cargo in FY23, demonstrating its continued growth.
Container Hub:
The Mundra Port is also India’s largest container port, handling 6.64 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in FY23, with 1.6 million TEUs being transshipment containers, accounting for 75% of India’s transshipment volumes. The port operates five container terminals across 12 berths, with a combined capacity of 8 million TEUs. The container segment has witnessed an impressive 15% CAGR growth in the last decade.
Versatility and Strategic Location:
The Mundra Port boasts one of India’s biggest port-based industrial ecosystems, including energy, oil and gas, electronics manufacturing, chemicals, and more, generating substantial cargo. It handles various commodities, from dry bulk to liquid cargo, Ro-Ro, LPG, LNG, and project cargo.
Strategic Location:
One of Mundra Port’s strengths is its strategic location, serving India’s western, central, and land-locked northern hinterland. It connects to significant regions like the National Capital Region, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. More recently, it was linked to the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor and the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor.
Game-Changer for Indian Ports:
With a focus on efficiency, productivity, and integrated logistics solutions, the Mundra Port changed the narrative for Indian ports by overcoming conventional challenges like high capacity utilization, long waiting times for vessels and fragmented supply chains.
A Symbol of Transformation:
The story of Mundra Port is not just about infrastructure but also about transforming perception. It evolved from a humble jetty for Adani Group’s coal business into a global trading hub. Its rapid growth signaled a turnaround in India’s ports sector, garnering regional and global influence.
Known for operating on a customer-centric approach, the Mundra Port has become a symbol of modern India and achieves high levels of productivity and innovation in logistics. Under the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. (APSEZ), it has risen to prominence in the Indian and global maritime trade landscape. In FY23, APSEZ, India’s largest private port operator, handled a staggering 336.6 mt of cargo across its 12 multi-purpose ports/terminals along the country’s coastline.
As Mundra Port marks 25 years of excellence, it reflects on its remarkable journey and its pivotal role in shaping India’s maritime destiny. From a small tanker to an industry giant, Mundra Port’s evolution is a testament to vision, ambition, and dedication, making it a cornerstone of India’s economic growth.
