India 13th Significant Port

Great Nicobar Island's Galathea Bay port was named India's thirteenth significant port. This comes 25 years after Kamarajar Port was established as the 12th major port. The region's marine commerce is expected to change as a result of the new port.

Importance of International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay

• Natural dock with 20 metres draft — accommodates large vessels.
• The strategic position of East-West international trade route makes it significant.
• The port is in proximity to important transhipment terminals, such as Singapore, Klang and Colombo.
• The Indo-Pacific region, where the ICTP is located plays a key role in global trade and politics.
• It is a sea distance of 40nm away from the Malacca Strait which accounts for approximately 35% of the worlds annual sea trade.
• 75% of the transshipped cargo originating from India is presently processed at overseas ports, with Colombo accounting for 45% of it.
• The ICTP will save Indian ports transshipment charges to the tune of $200 million-$220 million every year.
• The new port will add to the maritime capacity of India and curb dependency on foreign ports.
• Significant infrastructure development is needed, ranging from road and rail connectivity to port investments.
• Sustainable practices are increasingly important for the port, which contains unique ecosystems.
• India could look to involve other countries in making the facilities fully operational.