
Karnataka is a significant contributor to India's maritime trade, with its ports playing a crucial role in the country's economic growth.
The state has a long coastline of approximately 320 km, providing a strategic location for the establishment of ports.
Karnataka's ports are primarily located in the western coastal region, with major ports situated in Mangalore and New Mangalore.
These ports are equipped with modern facilities and infrastructure, including container terminals, oil berths, and cargo handling equipment.
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Karnataka Maritime Board
The Karnataka Maritime Board is responsible for developing the Pavinakurve Port, a proposed all-weather deep water cargo handling capacity port near Honnavar in Uttara Kannada.
The project cost for the development of the port is estimated to be ₹3,047.86 crores.
The proposed site for the development of Pavinakurve port is located along the coast of Pavinakurve village, situated on the right bank of the estuarine region of Sharavathi and Badagani rivers in Honnavar taluk.
The port is expected to handle 14 MTPA of cargo initially, and 40 MTPA in the foreseeable future.
The land required for hosting the back-up area facilities for the port is quantified to be 214 hectares, and will be created through reclamation by utilising the dredged material from the project.
The tender documents for the project can be downloaded from the Karnataka Public Procurement Portal (KPPP).
A pre-bid meeting for the tender has been scheduled on December 10 at 11 a.m. via hybrid mode at the CEO’s office at Khanija Bhavan in Bengaluru.
The last date and time for receipt of bids is January 9, 2025, at 5.30 p.m.
Ports of Karnataka
Karnataka is home to a significant number of ports, each with its unique characteristics and advantages.
The state's ports can be broadly categorized into two types: major ports and minor ports. The major ports in Karnataka are located on the west coast and include the New Mangalore Port and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port.

The New Mangalore Port is one of the busiest ports in India, handling a wide range of cargo including containers, bulk cargo, and project cargo.
The port is strategically located near the city of Mangalore, making it an ideal hub for trade and commerce in the region.
The port has a total quay length of 5,500 meters and a cargo handling capacity of 38 million tones per year.
The port is also equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, including a container terminal, a bulk cargo terminal, and a project cargo terminal.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port, on the other hand, is located near the city of Surathkal and is one of the largest ports in India.
The port has a total quay length of 4,500 meters and a cargo handling capacity of 40 million tones per year.
The port is also equipped with modern infrastructure, including a container terminal, a bulk cargo terminal, and a liquid cargo terminal.
The minor ports in Karnataka are located on the coast of the Arabian Sea and include the Honnavar Port and the Bhatkal Port.

These ports are smaller in size and handle a limited range of cargo, including fishing boats and small cargo vessels.
The Honnavar Port is located near the city of Honnavar and has a total quay length of 1,500 meters.
The Bhatkal Port is located near the city of Bhatkal and has a total quay length of 1,000 meters.
These ports are important for the local fishing industry and also provide a vital link for trade and commerce in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 12 major ports in India?
India has 12 major ports, with 6 located on the west coast and 6 on the east coast, serving as crucial trade hubs. The west coast ports include Mumbai, Kandla, Mangalore, JNPT, Mormugao, and Cochin, while the east coast ports are Chennai, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Kolkata, and Ennore.
Sources
- https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Mangalore/karnataka-maritime-board-floats-global-tender-for-development-of-pavinakurve-port/article68882269.ece
- https://karnatakamaritime.in/introduction/
- https://www.holidaylandmark.com/blog/ports-of-karnataka/
- https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/5485434
- https://testbook.com/question-answer/which-of-the-following-ports-is-situated-near-the--5f5896b15f3ffeee6c45a842
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