Vadhavan Port: A Strategic Boost for India’s Trade with West Asia and Europe
Vadhavan Port: A Strategic Boost for India’s Trade with West Asia and Europe
Sub: Geo
Sec: Eco geo
Why in News?
The Vadhavan Port, a significant infrastructure project set to enhance India’s maritime trade connectivity, will soon see a groundbreaking ceremony led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This port is poised to play a pivotal role in the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor (IMEEC) and the International North–South Transportation Corridor (INSTC) projects. Its development is expected to significantly boost India’s export-import trade with West Asia and Europe.
Vadhavan Port Project
Strategic Importance
Enhanced Connectivity: The Vadhavan Port is crucial for strengthening India’s trade links with the Middle East and Europe.
Mega Vessel Handling: Designed to accommodate large container ships, the port will facilitate trade through major international corridors like IMEEC and INSTC.
Project Specifications
Construction Cost: ₹76,220 crore
Capacity: Will add 23.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) to India’s container handling capacity.
Port Features: An all-weather port with advanced terminal facilities to support growing export-import trade.
| Vadhavan Port: Location: Vadhavan, Palghar district, Maharashtra Coastline: Arabian Sea Operator: Vadhavan Port Project Limited (VPPL) in collaboration with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority Alignment: Part of the PM Gati Shakti program Greenfield Project: Built from scratch, integrating modern infrastructure and technology Indian Ports: Major Ports: 12, managed by the central government Non-Major Ports: 200, managed by state governments Largest Major Port: Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT) Largest Private Port: Mundra Port Milestone: JNPT is the first major port to operate as a 100% landlord port |
India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Project
The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) is a proposed comprehensive transportation network designed to enhance connectivity and trade between India, the Middle East, and Europe. The corridor will include various transport modes and infrastructure to facilitate efficient movement of goods and energy resources.
Components:
Railroad Network: Extending across two main corridors:
East Corridor: Connects India to the Arabian Gulf.
Northern Corridor: Links the Arabian Gulf to Europe.
Ship-to-Rail Networks: Integration of sea and rail transport.
Road Transport Routes: Additional routes to support the network.
Ports and Connections
- India: Mundra (Gujarat), Kandla (Gujarat), Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (Navi Mumbai)
- Middle East UAE: Fujairah, Jebel Ali, Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Ras Al Khair (Saudi Arabia)
- Railway Connection: From Fujairah Port (UAE) to Haifa Port (Israel) via:
Saudi Arabia: Ghuwaifat and Haradh, Jordan
- Israel: Haifa Port
- Europe: Greece (Piraeus Port), Italy (Messina), France (Marseille)
International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)
The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is a 7,200-kilometer multimodal transit route designed to connect the Indian Ocean and Persian Gulf with the Caspian Sea, extending to northern Europe via St. Petersburg in Russia. The corridor integrates ship, rail, and road routes to facilitate the movement of cargo across multiple regions.
Inception: Launched on September 12, 2000, in St. Petersburg, through a trilateral agreement signed by Iran, Russia, and India at the Euro-Asian Conference on Transport.
Purpose: Aimed at promoting transportation cooperation among member states and enhancing connectivity between the Indian subcontinent and northern Europe.
Initial Members: Iran, Russia, and India
Current Membership: Expanded to 13 countries, including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkey, Ukraine, Syria, Belarus, and Oman.
Central Corridor:
Start: Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mumbai, India
Route: Connects to Bandar Abbas Port, Iran, on the Strait of Hormuz.
Path: Proceeds through Iranian ports such as Nowshahr, Amirabad, and Bandar-e-Anzali, follows the Caspian Sea, and reaches the Olya and Astrakhan Ports in Russia.
Western Corridor:
Connections: Links the railway network of Azerbaijan with that of Iran.
Nodal Points: Cross-border points include Astara (Azerbaijan) and Astara (Iran).
Sea Route: Connects to Jawaharlal Nehru Port in India via sea.
Eastern Corridor:
Route: Connects Russia to India via Central Asian countries including Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.