The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) continues to play an important role in India’s growing maritime trade and offers significant opportunities for industries in Chhattisgarh. In FY 2025-26, JNPA handled 8.17 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) of container cargo. This accounted for 53.93 percent of the total container traffic handled by the country’s major ports. During the same period, the port handled 102.01 million tonnes of total cargo.

During a Maharashtra visit by journalists from Chhattisgarh , JNPA General Manager Manisha Jadhav provided information about the port’s operations, trade facilities and future plans. She said the port’s focus is not only on increasing cargo handling but also on making the movement of goods faster and easier for importers and exporters, including businesses from Chhattisgarh.

A Modern Port Developed Over 37 Years

JNPA began operations on May 26, 1989. Over the past 37 years, facilities for containers, liquid cargo and other types of cargo have been expanded. The port currently has five container terminals, along with separate terminal facilities for liquid and general cargo.

According to JNPA, the port’s existing container-handling capacity is approximately 10.4 million TEUs per year. In view of growing maritime trade, continuous emphasis is being placed on better utilisation of available capacity and improving operational efficiency.

Simplified Procedures for Importers and Exporters

JNPA offers Direct Port Delivery (DPD) facilities for importers. After completing the prescribed customs procedures, eligible import containers can be transported directly from the port to a factory or another designated location. This reduces additional container handling and the need to move containers to an intermediate location.

According to available JNPA data, 72.66 percent of containers were cleared through Direct Port Delivery in FY 2023-24.

For exporters, the port provides Direct Port Entry (DPE) facilities. Under this system, export containers prepared at factories can be brought directly to the port in accordance with the prescribed procedures. Direct Port Entry accounted for 48.73 percent in FY 2023-24.

These arrangements aim to reduce unnecessary movement and handling of goods and save time in the import-export process. Such facilities can particularly benefit Chhattisgarh-based manufacturers, exporters and industrial units seeking faster access to international markets.

A Key Maritime Gateway for Chhattisgarh and Central India

JNPA is connected to the country’s hinterland through rail and road networks. Industries in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and other states, along with Maharashtra, can benefit from this connectivity.

Chhattisgarh’s steel, minerals, agro-based, food-processing and engineering sectors can use JNPA to transport products by rail or road and ship them to international markets. The port can also serve as an important entry point for imported machinery, industrial equipment and raw materials required by industries in the state.

For Chhattisgarh, which has a strong industrial base but no coastline, efficient rail and road connectivity to JNPA is especially important. It can help exporters access global markets, support the movement of bulk and containerised cargo, and improve supply-chain efficiency.

According to JNPA, approximately 1.15 million TEUs of container cargo was handled through rail transportation linked to inland container depots in FY 2025-26. This rail connectivity can provide an important logistics option for industries in Chhattisgarh.

Improving Operational Efficiency

According to the port, the average turnaround time for vessels was 1.71 days in FY 2025-26. This refers to the average time taken from a vessel’s arrival at the port through completion of cargo operations to its departure.

According to the Government of India’s official statement issued in August 2026, JNPA was ranked 22nd in the Container Port Performance Index 2025 released by the World Bank and S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The port administration says that shorter operational times can make cargo movement smoother and save time in the logistics process. For Chhattisgarh’s exporters, improved port efficiency can contribute to more predictable delivery schedules and better competitiveness in international trade.

Special Economic Zone Spread Over 277 Hectares

JNPA has developed a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) over 277 hectares. Its objective is to promote manufacturing and export-oriented activities.

Units for industrial activities related to agricultural products, engineering goods, food products and other sectors are being developed in the SEZ. The availability of production and export facilities near the port can facilitate the shipment of finished goods to international markets.

Chhattisgarh-based companies in food processing, engineering, minerals and other export-oriented sectors may also benefit from such port-linked industrial and logistics facilities.

Basic Facilities for Truck Drivers

Transporters and truck drivers play an important role in the port’s logistics chain. JNPA has developed a centralised parking plaza over approximately 45 hectares, with a reported capacity to accommodate around 3,000 trucks.

The plaza provides accommodation, toilets, bathing facilities and other basic amenities for truck drivers. Regular health check-up camps and initiatives promoting safe driving are also being organised.

These facilities support the road transport network connecting JNPA with industrial states such as Chhattisgarh and can help improve the working conditions of drivers involved in long-distance cargo movement.

Focus on Green Energy and Digital Technology

JNPA is promoting the use of electric vehicles and green energy to encourage environmentally friendly operations. Electric vehicles are being used for container transportation within the port premises, and plans are in place to increase their number.

A plan has also been announced to develop a shore power system to provide electricity to vessels while they are berthed at the port. The objective is to reduce the use of auxiliary engines on ships and lower emissions.

In addition, gate automation, container tracking and other digital systems are being used to make port operations more organised. These systems can help Chhattisgarh exporters and importers track cargo movement and manage logistics more efficiently.

Vadhavan Port to Increase Capacity in the Future

The Vadhavan Port, being developed in Maharashtra, is among the major projects expected to increase the country’s maritime cargo capacity in the future. According to JNPA officials, Vadhavan Port is located approximately 150 kilometres from JNPA and its proposed capacity will be around two and a half times JNPA’s current capacity.

The development of Vadhavan is expected to provide additional capacity to meet the requirements of growing maritime trade in the future. This could create further opportunities for Chhattisgarh’s industries by expanding access to port infrastructure and international shipping services.

Ease of Doing Business Remains a Priority for Chhattisgarh Industries

JNPA’s current initiatives focus on integrating cargo handling, connectivity, digital technology, direct delivery and green measures. These efforts are directly linked to improving the time and processes involved in the movement of goods for importers and exporters.

For Chhattisgarh, JNPA can serve as a crucial maritime gateway for steel, minerals, agricultural products, processed food, engineering goods and industrial equipment. The faster delivery of imported goods to factories and the timely movement of export goods to the port can help reduce logistics costs and improve the efficiency of supply chains.

From this perspective, JNPA’s facilities provide an important maritime link for Chhattisgarh and other states of Central India. Better rail and road connectivity, simplified port procedures and increased cargo-handling capacity can strengthen Chhattisgarh’s participation in national and international trade.
 

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