The coastline of India is dotted with 12 major ports and about 200 non-major ports. The major ports are under the purview of the Central while the non-major ports come under the jurisdiction of the respective State governments.

The 12 major ports (including the Port of Ennore which is a corporate port set up under the Indian Companies Act, 1956) are evenly spread out on the Eastern and Western Coasts. The ports of Kolkata, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Ennore and Tuticorin are on the Eastern Coast of India while the ports of Cochin, New Managalore, Mormugao, Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru at Jhavasheva and Kandla are on the Western Coast.

The capacity of major ports has increased from 20 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in 1951 to 504.75 MTPA as on 31st March, 2007. At the beginning of the 10th Plan, the capacity of the major ports was 343.95 MTPA which has increased to 504.75 MTPA at the end of the 10th Plan (i.e. as on 31st March, 2007) thereby achieving the capacity addition of 160.80 MTPA. In all the years of 10th five year plan the capacity at the major ports exceeded the traffic handled. The non-major ports handled a traffic of 185.54 MT in 2006-07 and had a capacity of 228 MTPA at the end of 2006-07.

The total traffic handled at the major ports has increased from 313.55 MT at the beginning of the 10th Five Year Plan to 463.84 MT in 2006-07 out of which the container traffic was 73.48 MT. The container traffic in the major ports has increased from 37.23 MT at the end of 9th Five Year Plan to 73.48 MT in 2006-07 thereby achieving a CARG of 14.5%.

In order to improve efficiency, productivity and quality of services as well as to bring in competitiveness in port services, the port sector has been thrown open to private sector participation, The Major Port Trust Act, 1963 permits privet sector participation in major ports invites Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) upto 100% under the automatic route is permitted for construction and maintenance of ports and harbours. Private Sector participation and maintenance of ports and harbours. Private sector participation has been allowed in a variety of ports services which includes construction and operation of terminals/berths, warehousing/storage facility, dry docking and ship repair facilities.

Till date 16 private sector projects involving an investment of Rs. 4504 crore has been operationalised which involves capacity addition of 93,90 MTPA. 87 projects are under various stages of evaluation and implementation which involves an investment of Rs. 5,627 crores.