January 27, 2012: The Indian ports' capacity has risen to 1.16 billion tons (mt) as on December 31, 2011, according to a shipping ministry statement on January 25.

The capacity of Indian ports stood at 1 billion tons per annum in the month of January, last year.

About 95% of overseas cargo by volume and 75% by value are carried by sea, the ministry said.

The major ports thus play a key role in facilitating external trade. Development of India's port and shipping industry is therefore critical to sustaining current levels and achieving higher levels of growth in the years to come.

Source: ISMW