The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed ₹1 lakh crore International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP) at Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island, is ready and will soon be submitted to the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for approval, said J.P. Irene Cynthia, Managing Director of Kamarajar Port Ltd (KPL).
Speaking on the sidelines of India Maritime Week 2025 in Mumbai, Cynthia said that once the DPR receives ministerial approval, tenders will be floated within six to eight months to invite private participation in the ambitious project.
“The ICTP will be developed under a public-private partnership model. Government support is expected through mechanisms such as viability gap funding or other fiscal assistance programs,” she added.
Massive Investment and Phased Development
The project, estimated at ₹1 lakh crore, will be implemented in multiple phases. The first two phases will involve an investment of ₹44,000 crore to create a handling capacity of 11 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) over the next three to four years. Upon full completion, the port will have a total capacity of 16.2 million TEUs, making it one of the largest container-handling facilities in Asia.
Initially, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata (SMPK), was designated as the nodal agency for the project. However, Kamarajar Port Ltd has since taken over that role, according to official sources.
Strategic Location and Global Potential
Located just 40 nautical miles from the main East–West international shipping lane, the Galathea Bay site offers natural water depths exceeding 20 metres, making it ideal for handling ultra-large container vessels. The port’s location is expected to position India as a key player in global transshipment, enabling it to serve ports across the Bay of Bengal, Southeast Asia, and the Indian Ocean region.
The project has already received critical clearances. The Union Environment Ministry granted environmental approval in November 2022, along with forest clearance, while the Department of Expenditure (Ministry of Finance) has provided in-principle approval for the island’s holistic development.
Reducing Dependence on Foreign Ports
Currently, about 75% of India’s transshipped cargo is handled at foreign ports such as Colombo, Singapore, and Port Klang, with Colombo alone managing 45% of India’s transshipment volumes. The proposed ICTP aims to reduce this dependence by establishing a high-capacity, strategically located hub within Indian territory.
A senior shipping analyst noted that while Galathea Bay’s natural advantages make it highly promising, developing supporting hinterland infrastructure will be essential to attract consistent cargo volumes.
Towards India’s Mega Port Vision
The Great Nicobar project forms part of India’s broader strategy to develop a network of mega ports with capacities exceeding 300 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). Based on detailed assessments of port clusters and growth potential, Vadhavan-JNPT, Paradip, and Deendayal ports have already been identified as key sites under this vision.
With the ICTP, India aims to strengthen its position in the global maritime supply chain, reduce logistics costs, and emerge as a transshipment hub for South and Southeast Asia — a crucial step toward realising the country’s Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
