Welcome to episode 28 of The Port Report from THE WEEK, with the latest updates from the world of ports for the week of August 15-21.
The Deendayal Port Authority hosted the Kandla Green Hydrogen Conclave 2026 on August 21, bringing together global leaders to discuss green hydrogen, sustainable port development, and India's vision for a greener maritime future.
The delegation also visited a number of facilities, including the country's first 1 MW green hydrogen plant at the port, which is one of only three designated green hydrogen hubs in India.
Next, Union shipping minister Sarbananda Sonowal on August 21 inaugurated seven infrastructure projects worth about ₹428 crore at the Paradip Port, which includes dredging to deepen its draft to 18.5m.
ALSO READ | Big changes at Paradip Port: 18.5m draft dredging among ₹428 crore projects launched; ₹1,580.36 crore deals inked to boost mechanisation
Three concession agreements for berth mechanisation projects worth about ₹1,580 crore were also signed with the Paradip Port Authority (PPA), in a bid to improve cargo handling and reduce vessel turnaround time.
Moving on, the V.O. Chidambaranar Port set a new supply chain benchmark by dispatching a record 75,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers in just 15 days.
Iron and steel cargo handling at the port also grew nearly four times during April-July in FY 2026-27, as compared to the same period in the last fiscal.
Finally, the Vizhinjam Port officially began export-import (EXIM) operations on August 18, marking its transformation from a deep-water transshipment port to a multi-purpose gateway port.
ALSO READ | Mission Samudra, Vizhinjam EXIM ops launched: Thiruvananthapuram port to spearhead Kerala’s maritime transformation
As a part of this launch, Kerala CM V.D. Satheesan flagged off the first export container headed for Valencia, and also inaugurated ‘Mission Samudra’, which is the state government's ₹400 crore maritime development plan to transform Kerala into a port city.
That's all from The Port Report with THE WEEK, and we'll see you next week. For more updates from the maritime sector, click here to visit our special microsite.
