Another major advantage is that, Gujarat has a vast hinterland consisting of fast developing Northern and Central Indian States generating cargo. The States of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Western Uttar Pradesh,Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, which constitute 35% of the total exports, are potential customers for Gujarat ports. Export of surplus foodgrains from these major grain producing States and import of fertilizers to these major consumers, offer great potential for growth of cargo in near future. Any economic development, taking place in these hinterland States have a direct bearing on Gujarat port.

Indian ports handled 197 million tones of cargo in 1994-95, 90% of which were contributed by the Major ports. The port activity, in terms of ship turnaround time, waiting time and average ship per day output, has a significant influence on development scenario. The existing major ports are under tremendous pressure to handle the increasing cargo traffic, resulting into demurrages and huge loss in foreign exchange.

In the global scenario, during the last decade, new technology development has taken place, especially in the container handling equipment and new port layout to accommodate container traffic. This technology developments demands new institutional set-up and major investments to help in solving the problems of port modernization. With the global shipping industry introducing supersized vessels, the 'Port of Future' will be totally integrated with inter-modal cargo flows and co-oriented sea vessels and hinterland vehicle arrivals and departures. The new proposed port locations of Gujarat are highly sited to adapt itself to the current technology development in the areas of communications, automation, cargo handling and ship technology, which needs drastic changes in the physical layout of ports as well as equipments, operations and managements. It is in this perspective that it is imperative, Gujarat approaches the problems, by focusing on an intergrated strategy, incorporating 25 to 30 years future demands scenario. It makes itself evident, that any globalisation that is to take place, has to take place through ports of international class.

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PRESENT STATUS OF THE GUJARAT PORTS

1. Along the 1600 Kms. of coastline of Gujarat, there are 41 ports, of which Kandla is a major port. Out of remaining 40 ports, 11 are intermediate ports and 29 are minor ports under the control of Gujarat Maritime Board.

2. These ports can be broadly classified into three categories.

   1. Three all weather ports viz: Porbandar, Okha and Sikka with all weather direct berthing facilities.

   2. Seven ports are all weather lighterage ports.

   3. The remaining thirty ports are fair weather lighterage ports for sailing vessels and fishing boats.

The minor and intermediate ports of Gujarat handled about 8.5% of national shipping cargo. Nevertheless, Gujarat ports handle about 16 million tones of cargo, which accounts for 70% of the total cargo handled by all minor ports of India.

Drafts of 8 to 10 meters are available at Porbandar, Okha and Sikka, where ships ranging from 15000 to 25000 tonnes are directly berthed. Except for Porbandar which handles container cargo for fish exports, container cargo handling facility do not exist in other ports. There is limited scope for expanding berthing facilities in the existing minor and intermediate ports. All that is possible is, to enhance the handling facilities by modern equipments, which can increase the traffic from present 16 million tones to 24 million tones. Due to the inherent limitations in the existing ports, it is essential to identify potential "green field sites" on Gujarat coast for port development.

With major coastal based mega cement plants coming up in Kutch and Saurashtra, cement and clinker exports through sea will play a major role in marketing of cement nationally to Middle-East countries opens up avenues for locating petroleum refineries and storage of petroleum products for hinterland consumption. Export of salt and import of coal are other major potential cargo apart from the existing items of import and export. As indicated earlier, the massive spurt in industrialization also opens up scope for import of industrial raw materials and export of finished goods to the global market through ports. The vast coastline of Gujarat, also offers tremendous potential for marine fisheries and subsequent processing and exports. Over and above this, any development in the hinterland State have a direct impact on Gujarat ports.

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Against this future potential, at present, the ports are being planned totally in insolation , without taking into consideration the requirements of industry, trade and commerce. No integrated plan exists to create ports of international design and status, linked with hinterland with multi-channel roads that carry cargo efficiently and other related infrastructure.

Pipavav port is an ideal location for a direct berthing port facility. Gujarat Maritime Board, alongwith a private sector company, is developing this port as a joint venture project. An estimated Rs.260 crores is likely to be invested in Pipavav port during the coming five years, developing it into a modern port in the Saurasthra region.