Gourav Vallabh, a member of the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, on Tuesday said India must accelerate the adoption of advanced technologies to improve port efficiency, noting that artificial intelligence could help save up to Rs 20,000 crore in cargo-handling costs.
Speaking at the “AI-Powered Ports: Reimagining Efficiency and Operations” session during the AI Impact Summit, Vallabh said the country is steadily positioning itself as a global leader in emerging technologies.
He added that AI deployment could unlock savings of nearly Rs 20,000 crore in cargo handling, along with an estimated Rs 15,000 crore annually through reduced logistics expenses.
“The question is not whether AI will transform India’s ports, but whether we will lead that transformation,” he said.
Vallabh noted that India’s logistics costs, currently at 7.97 per cent of GDP, remain competitive. However, achieving the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal will require intelligent ports backed by smart ecosystems and faster policy execution to enhance operational efficiency.
He emphasised that roughly 95 per cent of the country’s trade by volume moves through maritime routes. While Indian ports are expanding at an annual rate of 13.5 per cent, they still trail the world’s largest facilities in handling capacity, reflecting gaps in both infrastructure and technological capability.
Highlighting the practical potential of AI, Vallabh said the technology is already available and should be integrated across port operations without delay.
Meanwhile, Subrat Tripathy, President (Business Development) at Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, proposed the idea of a “virtual concierge” for ports, a digital platform aimed at simplifying coordination among vessels, agents, transporters, and other stakeholders.
