Is the Mangalore Seaport Larger Than Kochi and Goa?

India's west coast is home to several major ports, each with its own unique characteristics and capabilities. Among them are the Mangalore Seaport, Kochi Port, and Goa's Mormugao Port, all of which play significant roles in India's maritime trade. This article aims to explore whether the Mangalore Seaport, also known as New Mangalore Port, is larger than its counterparts in terms of capacity and cargo diversity.

Capacity and Cargo Diversity

First, let's examine the capacity of these ports. The Mangalore Seaport stands out with a total capacity of around 50 million tons per year. This is its primary advantage, as it is on par with Mormugao Port, which also handles around 50 million tons per year. In contrast, Kochi Port has a total capacity of approximately 30 million tons per year. Therefore, in terms of cargo handling capacity, Mangalore Port is larger than Kochi Port.

Cargo Handling Capability

Mangalore Seaport is capable of handling a diverse range of cargo, including containers, bulk cargo, and liquid cargo. This diverse cargo handling capability is a significant factor in its larger size. The port is equipped with 17 available berths and handles 62,808 Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) annually, indicating a robust and active container terminal.

Kochi Port, on the other hand, is known for its container and cruise terminals. It handles around 365,000 TEU annually, which is significantly higher than Mangalore Port. However, this specialization in container and cruise handling means that the port might not have the same versatility as Mangalore in handling bulk and liquid cargo.

Primary Cargo Types

Mormugao Port, located in Goa, primarily handles iron ore and coal. Its capacity is also around 50 million tons per year, making it similar in size to Mangalore Seaport. The focus on specialized cargoes such as iron ore and coal is a notable distinction from the more diverse cargo handling of Mangalore Seaport.

Activity and Purpose

It is important to consider not just capacity but also the activity happening within the ports. Mangalore Seaport's large capacity and diverse cargo handling capabilities make it a significant player in India's maritime trade. In western India, it is one of the busiest and largest ports, handling a wide variety of goods.

So, is Mangalore Seaport larger than Kochi or Goa? The answer depends on your perspective. If you are considering cargo capacity and cargo diversity, Mangalore Port is larger. However, if you are focused on the volume of container traffic or specialized goods like iron ore, then Kochi and Mormugao Port might hold that distinction.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Mangalore Seaport has a larger capacity and a more diversified cargo handling capability compared to Kochi Port. While it is comparable to Mormugao Port in terms of capacity, the diversified cargo handling capability positions it as a larger and more versatile port. When it comes to competition in India's maritime trade, Mangalore Seaport stands out for its adaptability and capacity.