The 22nd Annual Conference on Ports in India, held over two days in Mumbai, revolved around the theme Progress, Challenges, and Future Outlook. The event brought together industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss the latest trends, opportunities, and challenges facing India’s port sector. It served as a key platform for engaging discussions on the future of port operations and logistics.
Essar Ports played a key role in the conference, with Mr. Tarkesh Tiwari, Vice President of Essar Ports, sharing valuable insights during the Port Operators’ Perspective panel discussion. The panel also featured other prominent industry leaders, including Krishna B. Kotak, Chairman of the J. M. Baxi Group, and Gautam Bhatikar, Partner at Phoenix Legal.
During the panel, Mr. Tiwari highlighted India’s remarkable growth in the ports sector, with cargo volumes increasing from 200 million to 1,600 million tons over the past 30 years. He emphasised the shift from capacity constraints to world-class port infrastructure, with current utilisation at only 57%.
He also took the opportunity to showcase Essar Ports’ growth story, which includes the development of five major terminals across India, encompassing both greenfield and brownfield projects. A key highlight was the transformation of Hazira Port, which has evolved from a lighterage facility to one capable of handling large, deep-draught vessels. This upgrade, achieved through extensive dredging and ongoing maintenance of the port’s channels, has significantly increased the port’s capacity and operational efficiency.
Mr. Tiwari also discussed the ongoing expansion of Salaya Port, which boasts a deep-water jetty and is set to further grow to meet rising demand. He outlined Essar’s vision for developing sustainable and future-ready port infrastructure by initiating multiple green initiatives. He highlighted the company’s focus on handling environmentally friendly cargo, including LNG, biofuels, SAF, and green ammonia, along with the development of bunkering facilities for alternative fuels to support the transition toward cleaner energy. Mr. Tiwari further spoke about Essar’s commitment to port electrification using renewable energy, ensuring that all equipment within the port operates on green power.
Essar Ports is also taking significant steps to integrate technology into its operations. The company is focusing on advancing its capabilities with electric-driven equipment and automation. These initiatives will help Essar Ports drive greater operational efficiency, reduce costs, and improve customer service.
In addition to technological advancements, infrastructure development plays a crucial role in Essar Ports’ strategy. Mr. Tiwari highlighted the importance of connecting ports through integrated road, rail, and pipeline networks to enhance the movement of goods. He stated that while good road connectivity is essential, rail connectivity is critical for efficient movement of bulk and containers, whereas pipeline connectivity is critical for movement of Crude oil, LNG and LPG. As part of its infrastructure plans, Essar Ports is actively working on connecting Salaya Port to the national railway network under the Gati Shakti initiative. This new 16.5 km railway line will improve connectivity, streamline operations, and reduce transportation costs, benefiting both Essar Ports and its customers.
Through its participation in the 22nd Annual Conference on Ports, Essar Ports highlighted its role in supporting India’s evolving maritime landscape. With ongoing investments in infrastructure, sustainability, and technology, Essar is contributing to the growth of the industry and the development of a more efficient, eco-friendly future.
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