Introduction

A port is a place for the harbourage of ships, located on the coast of an ocean, lake, or river. Ports have a historically significant role in trade and thereby economic development. Even in this modern time where flights have become cheaper than ever before cargo ships remain a substantial carrier for goods.

Importance of Ports

The importance of ports can be deduced from the fact that the most important cities from an economic point of view were and still are port cities like New york in the united states or Mumbai in India. Ports allow the trade of goods between geographically distinct places. This enables people to varied kinds of materials from all over the world and ultimately improves their standard of living. Ports have become vital in supply chain management. This was proved when supply chains were disrupted internationally by the accidental blocking of the Suez Canal in march 2021 for six days.

Types of Port

There are broadly five major types of ports. They are island ports, dry ports, fishing ports, warm water ports, and seaports. In addition, ports can also be classified as man-made and natural based on their ownership as privately owned ports and government-owned ports. Another classification is based on traffic handled by the ports which divide ports into major, minor and intermediate ports.

Number of Ports in India

There are 13 major ports in India and 205 minor and intermediate ports. Of the 13 major ports, 12 are government owned and 1 is owned privately. the 13 major ports are as follows:

1. Chennai-Tamil Nadu

2. Kochi–KERALA

3. Ennore-Tamil Nadu

4. Kolkata-West Bengal

5. Kandla-Gujarat

6. Mangalore-Karnataka

7. Mormugao-Goa

8. Mumbai port trust -Maharastra

9. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust-Maharastra

10. Paradip-Odisha

11. Tuticorin-Tamil Nadu

12. Vishakhapatnam-Andra Pradesh

13. Port Blair-Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Notes

• Mumbai port is the biggest port in India. It is a natural port.

• Kolkata port trust which was named after mister Shyam Prasad Mukherjee is the oldest port in India.

• Chennai port is the first artificial port in India.

• Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust in Maharastra is the biggest artificial port

• Mumbai port is the busiest port