Paradip Port charts bold roadmap to become global “Port of the Millennium”

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

PARADIP, AUGUST 15, 2026

Paradip Port Authority (PPA) on Saturday unveiled an ambitious roadmap to transform Paradip Port into a global “Port of the Millennium”, with Chairman P. L. Haranadh announcing a sweeping expansion and modernisation drive encompassing deeper channels, more berths, full mechanisation, digitalisation, green initiatives and new maritime projects across Odisha, as the port celebrated the 80th Independence Day with patriotic fervour.

Addressing the Independence Day gathering after hoisting the National Flag at Gopabandhu Stadium, Haranadh said Paradip Port was committed to playing a pivotal role in India's journey towards a Viksit Bharat by building modern infrastructure, strengthening logistics, embracing technology, promoting sustainable development and driving inclusive economic growth.

 “Paradip Port is moving decisively towards becoming a global Port of the Millennium,” Haranadh said, outlining the vision of PPA 2.0 under which the port is expanding beyond its existing boundaries to become an anchor for the wider economic and maritime development of Odisha and the country.

The Chairman congratulated Team Paradip Port for achieving an all-time high cargo throughput of 156.45 million tonnes (MMT) in 2025-26, registering nearly four per cent growth over the previous year. The port ranked second among India's Major Ports, while retaining its position as the country's No. 1 port on the East Coast and No. 1 in coastal shipping, handling 65.81 MMT of coastal cargo during the year.

The scale of the port's transformation was reflected in the rise in cargo handling from 114 MMT in 2020-21 to more than 156 MMT in 2025-26, representing an increase of around 50 MMT in five years. Paradip had also emerged as India's No. 1 cargo-handling Major Port in 2023-24.

Haranadh said berth productivity had reached around 37,000 tonnes, more than twice the national average, attributing the achievement to rapid mechanisation, system improvements, modern cargo-handling systems and the dedicated efforts of Team PPA.

In a major infrastructure push, capital dredging of the port channel to an 18.5-metre draft has been completed, while five additional berths capable of handling fully laden Cape vessels are nearing completion. Once operational, Paradip will move towards becoming the first port in India with seven Cape-handling berths.

The port is also set for a substantial expansion in capacity, with the number of berths planned to rise from 19 to 27 by 2030. The 25-MMT Western Dock Project, comprising five berths, is nearing completion and is expected to be commissioned two years ahead of schedule.

Paradip is simultaneously pursuing a landmark mechanisation drive aimed at making it the first East Coast port in India with 100 per cent mechanisation. Four semi-mechanised berths have already been awarded for mechanisation, while work is progressing on container and green hydrogen berths.

The port's financial performance has strengthened alongside its operational expansion. Its net surplus has risen nearly threefold from Rs 714 crore to Rs 2,038 crore over the last five years, while the operating ratio has improved from 41 per cent to 33 per cent.

Haranadh said Paradip was rapidly emerging as a Smart and Digital Port, with nearly 100 per cent of transactions being processed through the National Logistics Portal (Marine). The port has also emerged as the No. 1 Major Port in financial transactions.

Among the technology-driven initiatives are a Vessel Traffic Management and Information System (VTMIS) developed by IIT Madras, Digital Twin technology, AI-based gate management and a world-class Command and Control System. Implementation of One Nation One Document and One Nation One Port has further strengthened ease of doing business, he said.

Sustainability, Haranadh said, would remain at the heart of Paradip's expansion. More than five lakh trees have been planted in the last five years, including over 1.5 lakh plantations along the stretch from Hanuman Temple to Sandhakud. The port is now pursuing its ambitious One Million Tree Green Port vision.

The PPA chief also highlighted its social and community initiatives in healthcare, sanitation, education and skill development. Skill development programmes conducted through CEMS and CIPET have opened up employment opportunities for Odisha's youth, with nearly 100 per cent placement recorded during the last financial year.

To strengthen long-term water security, additional water allocation, a new reservoir and a water treatment plant are being developed. The iconic fish-shaped Kalinga Maritime Heritage Complex is also progressing rapidly and is expected to emerge as a major landmark and tourism attraction.

Under the broader PPA 2.0 vision, Paradip Port is extending its maritime footprint across Odisha. Around 6,700 acres of land has been allocated for the proposed Bahuda Port in Ganjam district, where a world-class container port is envisaged, with the land handover process currently underway.

PPA and the Odisha Maritime Board have also jointly formed a special purpose vehicle for establishing shipbuilding and ship-repair facilities near the mouth of the Mahanadi River. The detailed project report has been approved by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and the project is expected to create significant employment opportunities for local youth. The Puri Cruise Terminal is also under development.

Haranadh said these projects would reinforce Paradip's position not merely as a cargo-handling hub but as a comprehensive maritime growth engine for Odisha and the nation.

Paying tribute to the freedom fighters and the Armed Forces, the Chairman said the country's maritime infrastructure had a crucial role to play in translating the aspirations of Independence into the economic strength of a developed India.

The Independence Day programme saw the participation of officers, employees, CISF personnel, trade union representatives, media, government organisations, stakeholders, citizens of Paradip and schoolchildren. Following the address, Haranadh distributed prizes to winners of competitions organised among local schoolchildren and PPA officers and employees, besides presenting the winner and runner-up trophies to marching contingents.

The celebrations continued with a Poets' Meet on the patriotic theme organised by Jagannath Lalita Kala Sansad, the cultural wing of PPA, at the Officers' Club. An exhibition football match was also held between the Paradip Port team and Morning Football Club.

The festivities concluded with an inter-school dance competition on patriotic themes at Biju Convention Centre, where the winners received prizes from the PPA Chairman.