5 min readMumbaiJun 29, 2025 07:25 PM IST
First published on: Jun 29, 2025 at 05:52 PM IST
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) in Navi Mumbai has become the first port in India to cross 10 million twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) container handling capacity following the completion of its latest expansion phase. With five container terminals now offering a combined capacity of 10.4 million TEUs, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port continues to handle over half of container traffic of India.
In an interview with The Indian Express, JNPA Chairman Unmesh Sharad Wagh, who is also leading the upcoming Vadhavan Port project in Palghar, shares insights on expansion, logistics and sustainability of the two ports in Maharashtra.
Q: Recently the Jawaharlal Nehru Port achieved a milestone of 10 million TEUs handling capacity. What factors contributed to this achievement?
Unmesh Sharad Wagh: JNPA is mainly a container port operating under the landlord model, where we have roped in private companies to operate under a concession agreement. For this, we have assigned terminals to all global bigger players, which has taken the capacity til 10.4 million TEUs–the largest in all ports in India. Last year we handled a cargo of about 7.3 million TEUs, so assuming 20 per cent growth by the end of this year, our estimation is to reach about 9 million TEUs. So this model of operation has largely contributed.
Q: How does road or highway connectivity play a role here? Are we looking at any expansion of capacity further?
Unmesh Sharad Wagh: For a port, three things are important–marine efficiency, execution efficiency, and evacuation to the hinterland. So if we talk about the evacuation to the hinterland, then connectivity is the key. With an eight-lane highway connectivity, the evacuation, which initially was 2-4 kmph, has now increased to 40-50 kmph. Moreover, JNPA has simplified all the processes involved to reduce the cost and time of doing business and promote the ease of doing business, making it 20-25 per cent cheaper for businesses. And for expansion, there is little scope at JNPA. However, we have the upcoming Vadhavan Port.
Q: Talking about Vadhavan, what is the current status of the Vadhavan project as you are overseeing it as well?
Unmesh Sharad Wagh: The construction work on the Vadhavan Port is going on. Land acquisition for the approach road has been done and the 3D notification from NHAI (National Highway Authority of India) is in process. We are also constructing a service road dedicated to the making of Vadhavan. This road, after serving its purpose for the port, will be like a present from JNPA for the villagers near the port. It will serve as a connecting toll-free road to the Mumbai-Delhi expressway.
Q: There has been resistance by the villagers and locals. How are you dealing with that?
Unmesh Sharad Wagh: There are about 24 villages in the vicinity, but only a few problematic people show resistance even after their demands are considered. Practically, no one is affected in the region. For the people in the influential area the project will only bring many benefits. One of them is a skilling programme for the local youth where we have targeted producing 5,000 sea fares through a collaboration with ITIs. Besides, we are also providing agriculture training for them through Dapoli Agricultural University and the skill development centre at Sahyadri Farms, Nashik. In fact, the only segment that can be seen affected by the port are the fishermen, but they are very positive towards the making of the port. We have ensured to not only give fair compensation to the affected fishermen but also undertake development and skilling activities by deploying CSR funds.
Q: How would the cargo distribution be once the Vadhavan Port begins operations? Any plans to bring in transshipment like at the Vizhinjam port?
Unmesh Sharad Wagh: Cargo distribution will eventually happen even though it’s far from sight now. Vadhavan will take care of all the north-bound cargo while JNPT will cater to the hinterland operations. And for transshipment, Vizhinjam is only a transshipment port, while ours is a getaway port with only 1 per cent transshipment capacity. Currently, around 25 per cent of the cargo from India is transshipped and 20 per cent is from the western side. With Vadhavan coming on the western seafront, 100 per cent of this cargo will come to the new port. So we will ensure there is a balance of all the operations amongst both the ports.
Q: What are your plans to make both the ports sustainable and automated–measures already in place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Port and plans for Vadhavan?
Unmesh Sharad Wagh: Sustainability is always at the centre of our port operations. The port already runs on 60 per cent renewable, green energy, which we are planning to take up to 100 per cent. We have started replacing fuel trucks with electric ones with around 500 e-trucks in place today. Besides, all the required infrastructure like battery charging and swapping points are also in place. Although we have a 34 per cent green cover, we are constantly trying to increase the greenery with efforts like Miyawaki plantations. We have also worked towards the rejuvenation of local lakes and temples as an attempt to beautify with sustainability. Automation also is in process and operations at the port are fully digitised, with 5G-enabled systems and cyber security measures.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority Chairperson Unmesh Wagh (Express File Photo) 
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