Odisha’s eastern coast is emerging as a maritime investment hub, with a pipeline exceeding Rs. 500 bn across port expansion, new port development, shipbuilding and clean-energy infrastructure. The programme is centred on Paradip Port, the proposed Bahuda port in Ganjam district and a shipbuilding cluster in Kendrapara district.

Paradip’s expansion includes the Rs. 30.05 bn Western Dock, which will add about 25 mn t a year to capacity and handle Capesize vessels with drafts of up to 18.5 metres. More than 70 per cent of the project has been completed, with the draft reaching 16 metres, and the facility is scheduled to become operational by March 2027.

The Centre has approved Rs. 7.97 bn for a dedicated jetty and related facilities for green hydrogen, green ammonia and other liquid cargo, with proposed handling capacity of 4 mn t a year. The port requires more than 400 acres for the green hydrogen hub; Paradip Port Authority has about 200 acres and has sought an additional 200 acres from the state government.

Paradip handled a record 156.45 mn t of cargo in FY26, more than double the 76.39 mn t recorded in FY16. Its rated capacity is about 289 mn t a year, while its long-term target is to exceed 500 mn t by 2047. The port has also been designated a mega port and is pursuing further mechanisation, additional berths and digital operating systems.

The proposed Kendrapara shipbuilding cluster carries an estimated investment of Rs. 247 bn and is designed for annual capacity of 1.2 mn gross t. Separately, the Rs. 215 bn Bahuda port will be developed as a satellite port with capacity of about 150 mn t a year across four docks. Paradip Port Authority will hold 51 per cent in the project, with the Odisha Maritime Board holding 26 per cent, Visakhapatnam Port Authority 14 per cent and Sagarmala Finance Corporation 9 per cent. The port will cover more than 5,000 acres and handle bulk carriers of up to 150,000 DWT and container ships of up to 6,000 TEUs.