Introduction

Selecting the right port for shipping is no longer just an operational decision, it is a strategic one that can significantly impact the success of shipping operations. For shipping companies operating in India, ports must deliver on several fronts: infrastructure, inland connectivity, regulatory efficiency, and vessel productivity.

 

Every port touchpoint incurs a cost and time factor throughout the container life cycle. The selection of the right port minimizes vessel idle time, maximizes inland repositioning, and protects service-level agreements with customers. With operating experience, PSA India offers extensive domain alignment with carrier operations.

 

This blog provides comprehensive evaluation criteria for selecting the appropriate port for all your shipping needs ensuring smooth operations.

 

Assess Strategic Location and Interconnectivity

The geographic positioning of the port determines whether high-demand inland ports can be accessed economically. Those with bad locations increase inland transport costs, delay containers, and make repositioning complex.

 

  • Rail Connectivity to ICDs and Corridors: PSA Mumbai boasts direct rail connectivity to major logistics corridors, including the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC). This strategic advantage enables seamless transportation of goods to key Inland Container Depots (ICDs) across North India within 48 hours, significantly reducing transit times and enhancing backhaul efficiency. By utilizing its rail connectivity, PSA offers a reliable and efficient transportation solution, streamlining logistics operations and boosting productivity.  
  • Access to manufacturing hubs: Lines catering to exports from India’s southern region necessitate rail connection from the port to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Coimbatore. PSA Chennai is well-positioned with direct connectivity to these regions, enabling season-round time-bound inland dispatch.
  • Road Network Integration: Ports need to be served by NH-grade roads with low congestion. This allows efficient trailer turnarounds and smooth interface with first- and last-mile networks. PSA terminals are positioned at highway interchanges, which bypass city choke points.
  • Feeder and Coastal Redistribution: Search for east-west coastal shipping support. Feeder networks within PSA ports facilitate internal redistribution, load balancing between regions, and low-cost repositioning of empties.
  • Alignment with Economic Corridors: Ports along DMIC, CBIC, and SEZs enable direct sourcing from producers and quicker mobilisation of cargo.

 

Insight: Unlike most Indian ports where rail connectivity is off-dock and seasonally interrupted, PSA terminals provide on-dock, dual-gauge, all-weather rail connectivity, promoting inland efficiency.

 

Evaluate Infrastructure and Terminal Capacity

The capacity of your port to accommodate today’s and tomorrow’s vessel needs defines the flexibility of your network. Draft, quay length, crane configuration, and yard automation should be assessed.

 

  • Draft and Quay Design: ULCVs demand deep drafts and long berths. PSA Mumbai boasts a 16.5-meter draft and more than 1,000 meters of quay length, which allows two ULCVs to be berthed together, eliminating delays and tide dependency.
  • Crane Capability: Technology and number of cranes contribute to berth productivity. PSA Mumbai boasts twin-lift capable, tandem-compatible cranes, enabling more hourly moves.
  • Feeder Vessel Support: For intra-regional services, check if the port can efficiently support Panamax and post-Panamax vessels. PSA Chennai is well-equipped to handle trade in the Bay of Bengal region, supporting efficient operations for both intra-Asia and regional routes.
  • Automation and Yard Management: RTGs, RMGs, and advanced Terminal Operating Systems (TOS) provide intelligent stacking, minimising shuffle moves, and real-time visibility. PSA combines automated workflows between yard and gate.
  • On-Dock CFS and Warehousing: On-terminal cargo processing eliminates off-dock move delays. PSA terminals feature bonded areas and CFS facilities to accommodate stuffing, de-stuffing, and secure cargo storage.
  • Scalability: Choose a port with a proven ability to scale with demand. PSA Mumbai’s Phase 2 expansion will increase its capacity to 4.8 million TEUs, ensuring berth availability and operational stability.

 

Benchmark: Ports with a single berth or shallow draft may face congestion and tidal restrictions, impacting service frequency. Modern, scalable terminals like PSA set a clear advantage regarding throughput capacity and vessel readiness.

 

Examine Operational Performance and Efficiency

Shipping lines live on time. Port efficiency needs to be assessed with minute analysis of KPIs directly related to vessel schedules and inland equipment movement.

 

  • Gross Crane Productivity (GCP): PSA Mumbai has a consistent GCP of 25+ moves per hour, reducing vessel port stays and sustaining rotational integrity.
  • Customs Clearance Speed: PSA Chennai’s integrated DPD and DPE model (including rail) has cut average customs clearance times enabling quicker gate-out and reduced dwell time.
  • Round-the-Clock Access: 24×7 gate operations, night-shift staffing, and RFID-based automation are critical for round-the-clock dispatch. PSA gates support uninterrupted cargo movement.
  • Digital Systems and Real-Time Visibility: These solutions enable real-time visibility of box movement, berth planning, and rail dispatch, enabling predictive inland planning.
  • Administrative Streamlining: PSA accommodates paperless documentation, computerized billing, and EDI integration—streamlining document processing times and increasing transparency.

 

Insight: Through on-terminal liaison counters and proactive facilitation, PSA clears customs in under 6 working hours for compliant cargo—a national benchmark.

 

Validate Special Cargo Handling Capabilities

India’s export basket consists of temperature-sensitive drugs, DG cargo, high-value electronics, and heavy machinery. Not all ports have the capability to handle these categories effectively.

 

  • Temperature-Controlled Storage: PSA Ameya CFS  offer warehousing between -25°C and +25°C, meeting WHO-GDP and CEIV Pharma requirements. This is critical for vaccine and biotech shipments.
  • IMDG-Compliant Handling: DG cargo must be handled with certified zoning and material handling systems. PSA offers IMDG-certified bays for secure storage and carriage of flammable, toxic, or reactive cargo.
  • Secure Storage Facilities: Biometric access, CCTV-monitored bonded areas, tamper-proof locking, and physical security 24×7 secure high-value shipments like automotive parts or electronics.

 

Insight: Lines carrying diversified cargo profiles must certify that the port has no disruption in mainline operations while segregating, certifying, and securely handling special cargo.

 

Assess Sustainability and ESG Compliance

As regulations worldwide become tighter, those ports facilitating ESG compliance assist lines in achieving Scope 3 reporting requirements and customer sustainability objectives. 

 

  • Green Operations and Electrified Equipment: PSA terminals utilize battery electric RTGs and EV tractors to lower diesel consumption, emissions, and noise pollution.
  • DPD by Rail Benefit: Inland transportation by rail at PSA lowers emissions in comparison to road transport, enhancing the sustainability score of each shipment.
  • Water and Waste Management: Rainwater harvesting, zero-discharge stormwater systems, and waste segregation practices assist ports in complying with urban environmental regulations.
  • GHG Reporting & Certification: PSA is a member of international Green Port initiatives and is in sync with GHG data collection for Scope 3 audits.

 

PSA Mumbai is now India’s first 100% renewable energy-powered container terminal following the commission of its 10 MW solar farm with O2 Power. 

 

The solar farm provides over 75% of PSA Mumbai’s electricity requirements (based on 2024 consumption rates) with the remaining renewable power sourced from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) and other providers. 

 

The terminal’s CO2 equivalent emissions will be reduced by a projected 16,000 tonnes annually and more than 350,000 tonnes over its lifetime.  

 

Insight: In the age of ESG-linked contracts and emission-based routing, certified green practices ports are the preferred partners for sustainable global supply chains.

 

Confirm Commercial and Strategic Collaboration

A collaborative port-operator relationship enhances flexibility, responsiveness, and long-term planning stability.  

 

  • Dedicated Rail Shuttles: PSA Chennai runs direct train services to Whitefield (Bengaluru) and Sulur (Coimbatore), ensuring cargo reaches critical hubs within 24 hours.
  • Fixed Berthing and Priority Access: Strategic ports provide fixed berthing windows and equipment prioritization in peak demand—which is critical for high-frequency rotations.
  • Integrated Planning Teams: PSA provides dedicated carrier managers for forecasting, slot allocation, and disruption management—coordinated with carriers’ internal planning cycles.

 

Note: A port is not a physical node but a strategic partner. Select ports that co-invest in your efficiency and schedule performance.

 

Conclusion

For carriers to navigate the intricacy of India’s dynamic trade environment, the correct port for cargo is a mission-critical choice. The decision must transcend berthing capacity—it must address the port’s capacity to interface with inland networks, grow with demand, support schedule integrity, and comply with future sustainability regulations.

 

PSA India offers this integrated value—new-age infrastructure, multimodal connectivity, technical prowess, and a sound ESG basis. PSA India is the preferred right port for shipping lines that focus on speed, reliability, and development in India.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

1. What are the factors to be considered when selecting ports?

When selecting the right port for shipping, factors such as strategic location, inland connectivity (via rail and road), port infrastructure, terminal capacity, and operational efficiency must be evaluated. Ports with direct access to key logistics corridors like the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) can significantly enhance the efficiency of shipping operations, minimizing delays and reducing overall costs.

2. What are the requirements of a good port?

The right port for shipping should offer advanced infrastructure capable of handling large vessels, with deep drafts and efficient crane capabilities. A good port also needs seamless inland connections through rail and road networks, as well as 24×7 operations for uninterrupted cargo movement. Customs efficiency and sustainability practices are also crucial for ensuring compliance and reducing emissions during shipping operations.

3. What makes a good port location?

Selecting the right port for shipping depends on its geographical positioning, ensuring easy access to key trade routes and industrial hubs. A good location should be connected to major inland logistics corridors to facilitate efficient transportation. Ports with access to rail networks and highway interchanges provide timely inland transport, helping reduce shipping costs and ensuring smooth, cost-effective cargo movement.