**Executive Summary**
This document is an answer to a question raised in Lok Sabha regarding the increase in operational share of the private sector in ports. The response, provided by the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways on February 6, 2026, addresses concerns about market concentration and weakened competition. The answer highlights the government's efforts to promote fair competition through policy reforms, transparent auctions, and the promotion of public-private partnerships (PPP).
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Cargo Handling Statistics:**
* Cargo handled by Major Ports increased from 581.34 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2014-15 to 854.86 MMT in FY 2024-25.
* Cargo handled by Other Than Major Ports (OTMPs) increased from 470.89 MMT to 742.41 MMT during the same period.
* In FY 2024-25, Major Ports accounted for 53.52% of the total cargo handled in the country, indicating their dominance in the sector.
* **Policy Reforms and Initiatives:**
* Policy reforms focus on creating a level playing field through open competition and transparent auction methodology.
* The reforms allow all market players to freely compete for terminals, berths, and facilities.
* The Model Concessionaire Agreement, 2021, provides equal opportunities to all stakeholders through a transparent bidding process.
* 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is permitted in the sector, encouraging investments by national and international market players.
* The Government promotes the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model to enhance efficiency and productivity in the maritime landscape.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholders: Market Players (National and International)**
* **Impact:** Increased opportunities to compete for terminals, berths, and facilities under the domain of Central Government.
* **Action Required:** Participate in transparent bidding processes and explore investment opportunities through FDI.
**Stakeholders: Port Authorities**
* **Impact:** Must ensure fair competition and transparent auction methodologies are implemented.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to the Model Concessionaire Agreement, 2021, and promote PPP models.
**Stakeholders: Government**
* **Impact:** Responsible for overseeing policy reforms and promoting PPPs.
* **Action Required:** Continue collaborative approaches to enhance efficiency and productivity in the maritime landscape.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The central government ministry responsible for ports, shipping and waterways.
Major Port Authorities Act, 2021: A law governing central government-controlled major ports.
Public Private Partnership (PPP): A collaborative approach to promote efficiency and productivity across the maritime landscape.
Model Concessionaire Agreement, 2021: A framework that provides equal opportunities to all stakeholders through transparent bidding process.
Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd.: A major private port operator whose increasing market share is a subject of the question.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1356
ANSWERED ON 06.02.2026
INCREASE IN OPERATIONAL SHARE OF PRIVATE SECTOR IN PORTS
1356. SHRI SUKHDEO BHAGAT:
Will the Minister of PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS be pleased to state:
प(cid:517)न,पोत प(cid:303)रवहन और जलमाग(cid:330) मं(cid:361)ी
(a) whether the Government is aware of the fact that private ports, especially
those operated by Adani Ports & SEZ Ltd., have increased their share in total
cargo handling from about 9% to nearly 24% in the last decade while the share of
Central Government-controlled major ports has declined, raising concerns about
market concentration and weakened competition in the ports sector; and
(b) if so, the steps that are being taken to ensure fair competition and prevent
excessive dominance by a single corporate group?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF PORTS, SHIPPING AND WATERWAYS
(SHRI SARBANANDA SONOWAL)
(a) to (b): The cargo handled by Major Ports has increased from 581.34 million
metric tonnes (MMT) in Financial Year (FY) 2014-15 to 854.86 MMT in FY 2024-
25.During the same period, the cargo handled by Other Than Major Ports (OTMPs)
increased from 470.89 MMT to 742.41 MMT. Therefore, during the FY 2024-25, the
Major Ports account for 53.52% of the total cargo handled in the country, and thus
remain a dominant player in the sector.
The policy reforms in the Ports, Shipping and Waterways sector have focused
on the creation of a level playing field through open competition and transparent
auction methodology which allows all market players to freely compete for terminals,
berths, facilities etc. under the domain of Central Government and the Major Port
Authorities Act, 2021. Specifically, Model Concessionaire Agreement, 2021 provides
equal opportunities to all stakeholders through transparent bidding process.
Furthermore, 100% foreign direct investment (FDI) in the sector has opened the
opportunities for investments by national and international market players. The
Government is taking a collaborative approach to promote Public Private Partnership
(PPP) model in order to enhance efficiency and productivity across the maritime
landscape.
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