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332 Economic Survey 2021-22

Cochin 2.18 1.99 1.54 1.47 1.51 1.49 1.44
New Mangalore 2.63 2.35 2.04 1.93 1.91 1.91 1.94

Mormugao 3.65 4.51 2.63 2.63 2.69 3.15 3.15
Mumbai 4.61 3.27 3.72 2.52 2.56 2.46 3.10
JNPT 2.44 2.01 2.24 2.13 2.00 1.19 1.16

Deendayal 4.66 4.40 2.51 3.01 2.94 2.83 2.48
(Kandla)
All Major Ports 3.64 3.43 2.68 2.48 2.59 2.33 2.25
Source: Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Note: @: Average Turnaround time during 2020-21 is based on Pilot boarding till de-boarding
#: Turnaround time calculated as per prevailing modified formula (lock to lock)

9.46 The Covid-19 pandemic related restrictions on international trade in 2020 have led to
a smaller flow of containers in active shipping. The prolonged partial closure of ports across
the world created a glut of containers in some ports and abject shortage in others. At the same
time, because of widespread manufacturing delays, not enough containers were manufactured.
As the global economy began to recover since early 2021, the containers which were stuck at
various storage points are not being sent back into service fast enough. This has resulted in a
skewed demand-supply for shipping containers, leading to very high shipping rates. During
April-September 2021, India spent US$ 14.8 billion on transportation services imports, which
is 64.9 per cent higher than last year.

9.47 To address the problem of shortage of containers and high freight rates, the Government
has adopted a multi-pronged strategy. This includes pressing additional shipping/container
capacity into service through measures such as higher import of empty containers, improved
operational planning by facilitating close coordination between exporters and shipping lines,
release of abandoned/detained/seized containers, increasing duty free stay of containers. Further
measures include freight discounts for empty repositioning by railways, measures to improve
the turnaround times of containers through tracking and monitoring of dwell times so as to
effectively enhance availability of containers, promoting use of bulk/break-bulk movement by
exporters wherever feasible.

Sagarmala Programme
9.48 The Sagarmala programme is the flagship progamme of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping
and Waterways to promote port-led development in the country by taking advantage of India’s
7,500 km long coastline, 14,500 km long potentially navigable waterways and the strategic
location on major maritime trade routes. The core vision of the Sagarmala programme is to
reduce the logistics cost for export, import and domestic trade. Presently, a total of 802 projects
worth Rs. 5.53 lakh crore are part of Sagarmala Programme. Of these, 181 projects worth Rs.
94,712 crore have been completed and 398 projects worth Rs. 2.48 lakh crore are under various
stages of implementation.