India’s port sector is steadily transitioning into a more efficient, large-scale and future-ready ecosystem, backed by sustained government investment in infrastructure and capital expenditure. Efficiency gains are being driven by tighter operational practices, the adoption of advanced technologies and a growing focus on sustainability. At the same time, the sector is undergoing a deeper structural shift, with evolving business models and stronger long-term growth visibility. In an interview with Indian Infrastructure, Rinkesh Roy, Joint Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, JSW Infrastructure, shared his perspective on the key trends shaping the sector, the company’s achievements over the past year, technological advancements, sustainability initiatives, key challenges, and the organisation’s key priorities going forward. Edited excerpts…
What were the highlights of the port business in 2025-26? What has been the progress on the key ongoing and upcoming projects?
The fiscal year 2025–26 has been stable for the port business, with steady growth in cargo volumes across both bulk and container segments. The logistics segment recorded relatively faster growth than core port operations, reflecting our calibrated approach towards building an integrated, end‑to‑end logistics platform.
During the year, progress was made in strengthening rail connectivity, expanding warehousing capabilities and enhancing inland logistics, supported by selective investments in rail rakes. These initiatives are intended to improve asset utilisation, operational efficiency and service reliability, while supporting long‑term value creation.
The sector continues to evolve towards large-scale, high-efficiency operations, supported by the government’s ongoing infrastructure and capex push. On the project front, we have made substantial progress in capacity expansion at Dharamtar and Jaigarh ports. In addition, we are advancing new port developments at Murbe, Jatadhar and Keni.
In addition, we commissioned the Arakkonam cargo terminal, further augmenting our logistics footprint, strengthened rail infrastructure through the acquisition of a brownfield rail siding at Kudathini in Karnataka, and expanded our rail rake portfolio to support volume growth and improve end‑to‑end cargo movement. Collectively, these initiatives position us well for sustained growth and enhanced operational efficiency over the medium to long term.
What measures are being taken to make port operations more efficient?
Port efficiency is being enhanced through a combination of operational discipline, technology adoption and sustainable practices. A strong emphasis is placed on embedding safety and housekeeping as a daily habit, ensuring smoother and more reliable operations.
We are progressively moving towards 100 per cent electrification of equipment and adopting renewable energy solutions such as solar power to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. In addition, shore power infrastructure has been implemented at Dharamtar and Jaigarh ports for mini bulk carrier (MBC) operations, enabling cleaner and more efficient vessel handling.
On the operational side, significant investments are being made in digitisation and automation to improve visibility and decision-making. Advanced yard and vessel planning systems help optimise cargo movement, while a continuous focus on reducing turnaround time (TAT) is being supported by faster evacuation, predictive planning for cargo peaks, proactive equipment maintenance and efficient traffic flow management. Overall, these initiatives are driving higher productivity, lower costs and more sustainable port operations.
What initiatives are being taken to make port infrastructure smarter, greener and more sustainable?
Covered shed infrastructure has been implemented at Dharamtar, Jaigarh and Goa ports to support more sustainable and efficient operations. These enclosed storage facilities have significantly reduced fugitive dust emissions, bringing improvement in ambient air quality, while also lowering freshwater consumption by eliminating the need for continuous water spraying in open yards. Dust control is effectively managed within the sheds through integrated systems.
At Jaigarh Port, the sheds are further enhanced with rainwater harvesting systems covering approximately 5.98 acres of roof area, enabling the reuse of water and reducing dependence on freshwater sources.
To ensure sustained performance and continuous improvement, robust monitoring and review mechanisms have been established. These include real-time energy monitoring through SCADA systems, regular environmental assessments to track air quality and dust control effectiveness, and periodic reviews of water consumption and rainwater harvesting efficiency. Operational performance is also evaluated in terms of throughput, weather resilience and cargo handling efficiency. In addition, regular health and safety audits are conducted to ensure the reliability of fire-fighting systems, safety controls and emergency preparedness measures.
What are the key challenges facing the sector? What can be done to accelerate private investment?
The port sector faces structural challenges, including global supply chain disruptions, high capital intensity with long gestation periods and cargo volatility driven by global trade cycles. Efficiency is further impacted by weak hinterland connectivity, leading to higher logistics costs and congestion, while project execution is delayed due to multiple regulatory approvals and land acquisition issues.
Accelerating private investment will require stable policies, faster and streamlined approvals, improved connectivity and well-structured PPP frameworks. These steps are critical to enhancing project viability, improving operational efficiency and driving sustainable long-term growth in the sector.
Which emerging trends do you see as most transformative for the Indian port sector?
The Indian port sector is undergoing a structural transformation driven by several interlinked trends that are reshaping operating models, asset profiles and long‑term growth visibility.
A key trend is the shift from standalone port operations to integrated, port‑led logistics platforms. Port operators are increasingly expanding across rail connectivity, inland terminals and warehousing to offer end‑to‑end logistics solutions. This integration is improving cargo visibility, reducing dwell times, enhancing asset utilisation and enabling ports to capture a larger share of the logistics value chain.
Digitisation and automation are also emerging as important differentiators. The adoption of technologies such as real‑time cargo tracking, automated handling systems, terminal operating systems, and advanced planning and analytics tools is helping improve throughput efficiency, reduce turnaround times and enhance decision‑making. Over time, these initiatives are expected to support scalability and margin resilience.
Sustainability has become a central theme in port development and operations. Increasing regulatory focus and stakeholder expectations are driving investments in equipment electrification, renewable energy, shore power facilities, and environmentally responsible infrastructure design. These measures are aimed not only at reducing emissions but also at improving energy efficiency and lowering operating costs over the asset life cycle.
Another transformative trend is the development of large‑scale, deep‑draft and high‑capacity ports. Such assets are enabling the handling of larger vessels, improving cost competitiveness and reducing India’s dependence on overseas transshipment hubs. This evolution is expected to support long‑term trade growth and strengthen India’s position in global supply chains.
Finally, sustained policy support and infrastructure investment by the government, across ports, rail, roads and inland waterways, continues to play a catalytic role. Regulatory reforms and public capex are facilitating greater private sector participation, accelerating project execution and creating a more enabling environment for long‑term investment in the sector.
Collectively, these trends are supporting the transition of Indian ports towards higher efficiency, improved sustainability and greater global competitiveness, with improvements in scale, asset quality and return profiles over the medium to long term.
What should be the top priorities for unlocking the maritime growth potential in India? What will be JSW’s key focus areas in this regard?
Unlocking India’s maritime growth potential will require focused execution across a few critical sector priorities. A key imperative is strengthening hinterland connectivity through rail, road and inland waterways to reduce logistics costs, improve modal efficiency and enable seamless cargo evacuation from ports. Equally important is the timely execution of port and logistics infrastructure, supported by faster project approvals and streamlined regulatory processes, including effective single‑window clearance mechanisms, to reduce development timelines and enhance private sector participation.
JSW Infrastructure remains closely aligned with these national priorities. The company is focused on expanding and strengthening its port‑led infrastructure network through sustained investments across port capacity, rail connectivity and logistics assets.
As part of this strategy, JSW Infrastructure is developing three greenfield ports in India, designed as deep‑draft facilities with a strong emphasis on digitisation, automation and sustainability. These ports are expected to efficiently handle large vessels and support long‑term cargo growth.
In parallel, the company is increasing its presence in the logistics segment, with targeted investments aimed at building an integrated, end‑to‑end logistics ecosystem. This includes the expansion of rail‑linked infrastructure, warehousing, inland terminals and related assets to enhance asset utilisation, improve service reliability and capture a larger share of the logistics value chain.
Collectively, these initiatives are intended to support scalable growth, improve returns over the cycle and position JSW Infrastructure as a key enabler of India’s evolving maritime and logistics landscape.
“We are progressively moving towards 100 per cent electrification of equipment and adopting renewable energy solutions such as solar power to improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.”
