Recently, India has quietly charted an ambitious course to become a major player in the global port arena. New Delhi is now eyeing a network of strategic footholds across Africa and beyond, building on the success of its flagship project at Iran’s Chabahar Port—blending commerce, geopolitics, and a dash of maritime flair.
From Chabahar’s Awakening to African Ambitions
Chabahar Port, perched on Iran’s southeastern coast, has emerged as the crown jewel of India’s international port portfolio. Operated by Indian Ports Global Ltd. (IPGL)—a joint venture of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust and Kandla Port Trust—Chabahar welcomed just over 9,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) in FY 23. By January 2025, that tally had surged to more than 64,000 TEUs, setting the stage for an expected 75,000 TEUs handled by March and a projected 100,000 TEUs in FY 26. Plans are already afoot for a second berth and a fresh wave of mobile harbor cranes, backed by a proposed capital outlay of approximately $480 million USD.
But India’s horizon extends well beyond the Arabian Sea. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has tasked IPGL with scouting berth-operation opportunities in select African nations—with Tanzania leading the shortlist. Dar es Salaam, Tanga, and Mtwara already hum with maritime activity, while smaller harbors such as Lindi, Kilwa Masoko, and the idyllic Zanzibar outposts of Mkoani and Chake Chake offer untapped promise.
Tanzania: More Than Just a Port
India’s outreach to Tanzania goes beyond cranes and containers. A landmark memorandum between the Tanzania Investment Centre and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority aims to create a dedicated industrial park or Special Economic Zone, transforming raw shoreline into a bustling logistics hub. Meanwhile, Cochin Shipyard Ltd. has inked an MoU with Tanzania’s Marine Services Co. to collaborate on everything from tanker refurbishment to ferry operations—building bridges between two historic maritime cultures.
Adani’s African Anchor
Not to be outdone, the Adani Group already commands a significant presence in East Africa. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. operates Container Terminal 2 at Dar es Salaam under a 30‑year concession. In partnership with AD Ports Group and East Harbour Terminals, it recently acquired a controlling stake in Tanzania International Container Terminal Services through the East Africa Gateway Ltd. consortium, underscoring India’s eagerness to secure long-term maritime alliances.
Beyond Africa: A Blue Water Vision
Africa may be the next chapter, but India’s maritime story spans from the Bay of Bengal to the Arabian Sea. In Myanmar, IPGL manages the strategically vital Sittwe Port—part of the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Project that links India to Southeast Asia via waterways and roads through Myanmar and Bangladesh. In Sri Lanka, IPGL is set to revive the Nagapattinam–Kankesanthurai ferry route, weaving back as-old passenger link between Tamil Nadu and the northern tip of the island.
All of these endeavors are part of Bharat Global Ports, a newly formed state-owned consortium that markets itself as an end-to-end provider of port infrastructure solutions—from financing and construction to terminal management and hinterland connectivity. Its international arm, IPGL, will spearhead overseas operations, bolstering India’s economic diplomacy without crowding domestic port management at home.
Why Go Offshore?
Critics have asked why a state-backed entity like IPGL doesn’t focus entirely on Indian coasts. An official counters that overseas forays amplify India’s global brand as a reliable partner, attract foreign investment back home, and secure vital trade routes—especially as regional rival China expands its maritime footprint under the Belt and Road Initiative.
As India stakes its claim on distant shores, it is not merely exporting cranes and know‑how; it is weaving a web of economic ties, building industrial corridors, andivating partner-to-partner trust. For a nation whose ancient mariners once mapped monsoon winds to trade with Rome and Southeast Asia, the new wave of port diplomacy may be the latest chapter in aa-old maritime legacy—one that promises to reshape trade routes, power balances, and perhaps even the tides themselves.
