Table of Contents
Sea Ports are vital for boosting and sustaining India’s economy. They connect India to the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean, making water transportation essential for trade and travel. Visiting these seaports offers beautiful views and valuable insights into their operations.
Sea ports also play a crucial role in supporting tourism by connecting India with international destinations via cruise services. Numerous ports across the country offer these cruises, enriching travel experiences.
In India, state governments manage the minor ports, while the shipping ministry oversees the major ones. Additionally, the Sagarmala project aims to develop 13 new ports, further enhancing the nation’s maritime infrastructure.
Here’s a list of the 10 most stunning seaports in India. These ports not only drive international trade but also offer breathtaking views for visitors.
1. Visakhapatnam Port
Visakhapatnam Port is one of India’s key ports. It underwent significant modernization between 2016 and 2017, with an investment of ₹13 crores. Lord Willingdon inaugurated the port on December 19, 1933.
The port offers a scenic view of the creek where Narava Gedda meets the sea. It handles approximately 1.2 million tonnes of cargo annually, including pellets, oil, alumina, and iron ore. The port is divided into three distinct areas: the fishing area, the inner harbour, and the outer harbour.
Travel Tips
- Vizag Airport is the nearest airport to Visakhapatnam Port, located just 8.4 km away. A taxi ride from the airport to the port takes approximately 19 minutes.
- The closest railway station is Simhachalam Railway Station, which is about a 25-minute drive from the port.
- Location: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
2. Haldia Port
Haldia Port, often referred to as the Gateway of Eastern India is the largest port in West Bengal and one of the busiest ports in India. It handles shipments from countries such as Australia, New Zealand, and various Southeast Asian nations. Established by the East India Company, the port was designed to facilitate the trade of raw materials.
Various products traded at Haldia Port include leather, copper, iron ore, steel, coal, tea, and jute items. In contrast, its imports mainly consist of chemical products, fertilizers, paper, crude oil, and machinery. The port offers a scenic view of the surrounding areas, enhancing the experience.
Travel Tips
- Bandar Railway Station is the nearest train station to Haldia Port, just 1.2 km away, with a travel time of about 5 minutes from the station to the port.
- For air travel, the closest airport is Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport, located 128 km from Haldia Port. The drive from the airport to the port takes approximately 2 hours and 33 minutes.
- Location: Haldia, West Bengal
3. Port Blair Port
Port Blair Port, located in the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is ranked as the 13th best port in India. Although smaller than other major Indian ports, it plays a vital role in the country’s economic development.
The port is surrounded by stunning views that are sure to captivate you. As the youngest seaport in India, it provides essential connections to the mainland through both flights and ships.
Travel Tips
- Veer Savarkar Airport is the nearest and only airport in Port Blair, situated just 6.1 km from the city centre. The drive from the airport to the city takes approximately 16 minutes by car.
- Location: Port Blair, South Andaman
4. Mumbai Port
Mumbai Port is the largest seaport in India, handling one-fifth of the country’s total foreign exports. Often called Front Bay, it acts as a major gateway to India and has a depth ranging from 10 to 12 meters.
The port plays a crucial role in trade with East African and Western countries. It mainly handles mineral oil and dry cargo from the Gulf countries.
Travel Tips
- Mumbai Central, located 6.1 km away, is the nearest railway station to Mumbai Port, with a travel time of about 27 minutes by car.
- The closest airport is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, situated 27.5 km from the port. A taxi ride from the airport to the port takes approximately 1 hour.
- Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
5. Nhava Sheva
Nhava Sheva, also known as Jawaharlal Nehru Port, is the largest container port in India. Located in Konkan, it is one of the busiest ports in the country and is often referred to as the King Port of the Arabian Sea.
The port plays a vital role in international trade, handling around 56% of India’s container traffic. It handles a variety of goods, including chemicals, vegetable oils, machinery, boneless meat, and carpets.
Visitors to the port can enjoy scenic ocean views while observing large cargo ships and other vessels.
Travel Tips
- The nearest airport to Nhava Sheva Port is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, located 59.2 km away. The drive from the airport to the port takes approximately 1 hour and 22 minutes.
- The closest railway station is Marine Lines, situated 46.1 km from the port. The drive from the station to the port takes about 1 hour and 7 minutes.
Location: Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra
6. New Mangalore Port
New Mangalore Port, located in southern Karnataka, just north of the Gurpur River, offers a breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea.
Developed during the Fourth Five-Year Plan, the port has since been upgraded to accommodate larger ships. It handles a wide range of goods, including edible oil, fertilizers, crude oil, cashew nuts, rubber, fish, rice, coffee, and tea.
Travel Tips
Thokur Railway Station is the nearest train station to New Mangalore Port, located just 9.2 km away, with a travel time of about 15 minutes by car. The closest airport is Mangalore Airport, situated 10.3 km from the port, and it takes approximately 21 minutes to reach by car.
- Location: Indian Oil Tank Farm, Kasba Bengra, Panambur, Mangalore, Karnataka
7. Kandla Port
Kandla Port is one of India’s busiest and most important seaports, known for its scenic Kandla Creek, which offers a captivating view to visitors. Established in 1950 after India’s partition from Pakistan, it continues to be a key maritime hub.
The port handles a wide range of goods, including chemicals, grains, textiles, salt, petroleum, machinery, and steel. Due to its extensive trade activities, Kandla Port is also among India’s top-earning seaports.
Travel Tips
- Kandla Airport is the nearest airport to the port, located 19.2 km away. The journey from the airport to the port typically takes around 32 minutes.
- The closest railway station is Kandla Port Railway Station, situated just 1.3 km from the port. It takes approximately 3 minutes to reach the port from there.
- Location: Kachchh, Gujarat
8. Ennore Port
Ennore Port, located near Chennai Port on the Coromandel coast, is India’s 12th major port. Privately owned, it benefits from strong connectivity via railways and roads.
The port handles around 16 million tons of coal annually, along with chemicals, petroleum products, and iron ore. Visitors can enjoy a beautiful ocean view, enhanced by the reflection of the clear blue sky.
Travel Tips
- Ennore Railway Station is the nearest station to Ennore Port, located 14.8 km away. A taxi ride from the station to the port typically takes about 35 minutes.
- Chennai International Airport is the closest airport, situated 24.9 km from the port. The journey from the airport to the port usually takes around 1 hour and 11 minutes.
- Location: Coromandel Coast, Tamil Nadu
9. Paradip Port
Paradip is a deep-water seaport located on the coast of Orissa, India. With a water depth of 12 meters, it is well-suited for handling large bulk and heavy containers. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the ocean bed from this port.
Established during India’s second 5-year plan, Paradip Port primarily exports large quantities of coal and iron ore to Japan. Notably, it often exports twice the amount it imports.
Travel Tips
- Biju Patnaik International Airport is located 117 km away from Paradip Port, with a travel time of approximately 3 hours and 13 minutes.
- Paradip Railway Station, located just 10 km from the port, is only a 22-minute drive away.
- Location: Paradip, Odisha
10. Mundra Seaport
Mundra Port in Gujarat is renowned for its modern infrastructure and holds the title of India’s largest coal import terminal. It is highly regarded for its fast turnover time and efficient cargo handling.
Visitors can explore Mundra Port between 9 AM and 6 PM, enjoying the scenic ocean views and the port’s beautiful surroundings.
Travel Tips
- Mundra Port Railway Station is the closest station to the port, located 7.4 km away, with a travel time of about 19 minutes.
- For air travellers, Jamnagar Airport is the nearest airport to Mundra Port, situated 299 km away, approximately a 6-hour drive.
- Location: Mundra, Gujrat
Conclusion
India’s seaports, including Mumbai Port, Chennai Port, Kochi Port, and Visakhapatnam Port, are known for their unique attractions and operational excellence. From the scenic views of Paradip Port and Ennore Port to the modern facilities at Mundra Port and the vibrant atmosphere at Kandla Port, these ports play a crucial role in India’s maritime economy. Ports like Haldia Port and New Mangalore Port offer a blend of industrial importance and natural beauty, providing unforgettable experiences for visitors.
