India's total traffic has grown from 519 million tonnes in 2007-08 to 530 million tonnes in 2008-09 but the target for FY09 was pegged at 576 million tonnes. Even though 2008-09 is considered as one of the toughest years for the world economy, it brought a bag of mixed news for India as far as cargo traffic at major ports is concerned. Traffic handled at major ports in the country grew by about 2.13 per cent on the whole despite the slump in international trade. Of all the ports maximum growth in traffic has been at Mormugao, Kandla and Paradip, which have shown a growth of 18.65 per cent, 11.25 per cent and 9.36 per cent respectively compared to 2007-08 traffic.

Gujarat could legitimately claim a status of India's port super star. The state, with the longest coastline of 1600 km with 41 ports, including one major and 40 others, is India's maritime gateway to Middle East, Africa and Europe. The vast hinterland extending right up to Kashmir bestows upon the state a strategic advantage matched by none other from the Indian states. Gujarat, with the largest number of cargo and operational ports, could today boast of highest cargo throughput among all Indian Port Authorities and also the highest cargo throughput compared to all non major ports (80% of total).

• Gujarat handles 11.5% of the total cargo traffic in India’s major ports.
• The non-major ports of Gujarat handled a cargo traffic of 147million tonnes in 2007-08 an increase of 11.44% over the previous year.
• The total port capacity of Gujarat grew at 46.6%, from 135 MMT from 2001 to 198 MMT in 2007-08.

“We have a vision to achieve maritime excellence. Our vision is as deep as ocean. It is as vast as ocean. I assure you that our efforts are fully committed towards port related development of the entire coastline of 1600 Kms”. Observes Narendra Modi, the dynamic and visionary Chief Minister of the state and this does not seem to be a distant dream any more!

“Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor, a 588 km Western Dedicated Freight Corridor will be the backbone of growth connecting Dadri and near New Delhi and Jawaharlal Nehru Port near Mumbai. Approximately 40 per cent of this corridor which passes through Gujarat should become an artery of growth for industrial and allied development in the state of Gujarat. This will herald a new era of growth with industries and allied activities expanding in all directions with the development of ports, hinterland, Delhi Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the newly upgraded Eastern State Highway. Multi model logistic park along the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) will further add to the growth of economic activity with high impact development within 150 km on either side of the DMIC.

With the first phase of the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, Dholera near Ahmedabad, and Dahej-Vilayat near Bharuch as well as Palanpur-Mehsana, Vadodara-Ankleshwar waking up to the new found opportunities for development as Special Investment Regions. With over fifty SEZs located in Gujarat and quite a few of them around the DFC a tremendous spurt in economic activity is just on cards.

With this, Gujarat should even further become the most sought after location.

To put these issues under sharp focus and also discuss the emerging opportunities for investment to partner this growth, a two days national conference on “Infrastructure and Ports - Emerging Areas of Opportunities in Port Led Growth and Development ” with a Special Focus on “India's Port Super Star - Gujarat” is planned at Ahmedabad on July 17-18, 2009. The Conference will discuss and address important issues as well as provide networking opportunities through presentations from experts connected with the port sector from India and abroad. During the two-day conference eminent experts shall deal with various topics related with Port Led and Port Based Investment Opportunities.