History, Scope, Merits, Developments of Water Transportation in India, Inland waterways, River, Canal, Inland water transportation, Harbor, Port, Dock, Development of Ports & Harbors, classification, Harbor site selection, Harbor dimensioning.

1. “INTRODUCTION TO
WATER TRANSPORTATION”
1
PREPARED BY : ASST. PROF. VATSAL D. PATEL
MAHATMA GANDHI INSTITUTE OF
TECHNICAL EDUCATION &
RESEARCH CENTRE, NAVSARI.

2. INTRODUCTION
 Water Transportation is concerned with conveyance of
people and goods in vehicles that float upon water.
 Waterways have great historic importance in the
development of civilizations and in the growth of nations.
 Rivers and seas provided primitive man with his first
facility for mass transportation of goods.
 Waterways can be classified broadly as:
 Oceanic waterways and
 Inland waterways.

3. SCOPE OF WATER TRANSPORTATION
 Oceanic waterways are concerned with the conveyance
of people and goods primarily across the ocean between
continents or island.
 Inland waterways consist of water transportation on
rivers, lakes and canals within the main land.
 River transportation became popular in India since 1855.
 The total perennial waterways in India are 65,600 km
out of which 41,600 km are of rivers and 24,000 km canals.

4. MERITS
 Around the world 82% of International trade in tons and
94% of world trade in tons-kilometers are moved by
shipping and thereby through ports.
 Specific function, objectives and the advantages derived
from water transportations facilities are summarized
below:
 Require cheap manual, wind and steam motive power.
 Higher load carrying capacity for bulky and heavy
commodities.
 Development of commerce and expansion of trades.
 Development of agriculture.

5. MERITS
 Easiest and cheapest mode of communication.
 Development of industry.
 Development of natural resources and their effective use.
 Discovery of new island is possible.
 Development of economic progress and international
contact.
 Provide enhanced mobility and promotes social and
political unity.
 Assistance in the problem of national defense.

6. DEMERITS
 It requires more time due to slow speed and circuitous
routes. Final docking stages require greater skill.
 Mountainous rivers and waterfalls hinder water
transportation.
 Require better position fixing and obstruction detecting
systems to avoid surface collision.
 Frequent storms results in great loss of life and material.
 Rapid growth in demand which is more than the capacity of
existing facilities.

7. DEMERITS
 Vessels oil spillage, noise smoke and fumes cause pollution
and endanger marine lives.
 Uncertainty problem, like energy shortage problem due to
political and natural causes.
 Energy conservation concern because of energy problem of
transportation development.

8. DEVELOPMENTS OF WATER
TRANSPORTATION IN INDIA
 India is endowed with a variety of navigable waterways
comprising of river systems, canals, back waters, creeks,
and tidal inlets extend to about 14,500 km including about
5600 km for navigation by mechanized vessels.
 The navigable waterways are confined to a few States and
location specific. The Inland Water Transport (IWT) is
functionally important in regions covered by the
Brahmputra and the Ganges in the North-East and Eastern
parts of the country, Kerala, Goa and in the deltas of the
rivers of Krishna and Godavari.

9. DEVELOPMENTS OF WATER
TRANSPORTATION IN INDIA
 Out of about 5600 km of waterways for navigation, 4382
km of inland waterways have been declared as National
Waterways (NWs).
 The development and regulation of waterways which are
not declared as NWs remain under the domain of the
respective State Government.
 To develop any waterway as NW, it is required to be
declared as a National Waterway by an Act of Parliament.

10. DEVELOPMENTS OF WATER
TRANSPORTATION IN INDIA
NW Waterway Stretch Length
(Km.)
Declared
in Year
NW-1 Ganga-Bhagirathi-Hooghly river system
(Allahabad-Haldia) in the States of Uttar
Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal
1620 1986
NW-2 River Brahmaputra (DhubriSadiya) in the State
of Assam
891 1988
NW-3 West Coast Canal (Kottapuram-Kollam) along
with Udyogmandal and Champakara Canals – in
the State of Kerala
205 1993
NW-4 Kakinada- Puducherry canals along with
Godavari and Krishna rivers– in the States of
Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Union territory
of Puducherry
1078 2008
NW-5 East Coast Canal integrated with Brahmani river
and Mahanadi delta rivers in the States of West
Bengal and Odisha
588 2008

11. INLAND WATERWAYS
 India has an extensive network of inland waterways in the
form of rivers, canals, backwaters and creeks.
 Freight transportation by waterways is highly under-
utilized in India compared to other large countries and
geographic areas like the United States, China and the
European Union.
 The total cargo moved (in tonne kilometres) by the inland
waterway was just 0.1% of the total inland traffic in India,
compared to the 21% figure for United States.

12. RIVER
 A river is a natural flowing watercourse, usually freshwater,
flowing towards an ocean, sea, lake or another river. In
some cases, a river flows into the ground and becomes dry
at the end of its course without reaching another body of
water. Small rivers can be referred to using names such
as stream, creek, brook, rivulet, and rill.

13. CANAL
 Canals are waterways channels, or artificial waterways, for
water conveyance, or to service water transport vehicles.
 They may also help with irrigation. It can be thought of as
an artificial version of a river. Canals carry free surface flow
under atmospheric pressure.

14. INLAND WATER TRANSPORTATION
 Water transport in India has played a significant role in the
country's overall economy and is indispensable to foreign
trade.
 India is endowed with an extensive network of waterways
in the form of rivers, canals, backwaters, creeks and a long
coastline accessible through the seas and oceans.
 It has the largest carrying capacity of any form of transport
and is most suitable for carrying bulky goods over long
distances.

15. INLAND WATER TRANSPORTATION
 It is one of the most cheap modes of transport in India, as it
takes advantage of natural track and does not require huge
capital investment in construction and maintenance except
in the case of canals.
 Its fuel efficiency contributes to lower operating costs and
reduced environmental impact due to carbon.

16. HARBOUR AND PORT
 Harbour:- It is partly enclosed area which provides safe and
suitable accommodation for supplies, refueling, repair,
loading and unloading cargo.
 Port:- A port is a harbour where marine terminal facilities
are provided.
or
A port is a place which regularly provides accommodation
for the transfer of cargo and passengers to and from the
ships.
Port = Harbour + Storage Facility + Communication Facility
+ Other Terminal Facility
From above, it can be stated that a port includes a harbour i.e.
every port is a harbour.

17. SITE SELECTION FOR HARBOUR
 At the time of selection of harbour, great care should be
exercised. Following categories are the main :
 Availability of cheap land and construction material
 Natural protection from waves and winds
 Transport and communication facility
 Industrial development of the locality
 Sea bed, sub soil and foundation conditions
 Availability of fresh water and electrical energy
 Favourable marine conditions
 Defence and strategic aspects

18. CLASSIFICATION OF HARBOUR
HARBOUR
CLASSIFICATION
Classification based on
PROTECTION NEEDED
Natural
Harbour
Semi-natural
Harbour
Artificial
Harbour
Classification based on
UTILITY
Commercial
Harbour
Refuge
Harbour
Military
Harbour
Fishing
Harbour
Classification based on
LOCATION
Ocean
Harbour
River
Harbour
Canal
Harbour
Lake Harbour

19. Natural
Harbour
Natural harbour formed
naturally by the protection
of mountains, bays, islands
etc. and are in use since
long time.
So, development in terms
of population,
geographical features, etc.
are rapid in natural
harbour regions.
Classification based on PROTECTION NEEDED

20. Semi-Natural
Harbour
Semi natural harbours
are also formed naturally,
but sometimes at the
harbour entrance
manmade constructions
are required for more
protection against winds
and waves.
Classification based on PROTECTION NEEDED

21. Artificial
Harbour
Artificial harbour or
man-made harbours does
not contain any natural
protections and these
protections are built
artificially which are called
breakwaters.
Breakwaters are the
structures which prevent
the inside water from
storms and waves and
keeps the inside water still.
Classification based on PROTECTION NEEDED

22. Commercial Harbour
Commercial harbours are
those where loading and
unloading of cargos are
done.
Commercial harbour
requires larger area for
speed up the operations
and it is the busiest among
the others.
Some commercial
harbours are limited to
loading and unloading of
single commodities like
coal, crude petroleum etc.
only.
The repair works can also
be carried out here but they
should be quick.
Classification based on UTILITY

23. Refuge Harbour
A large area harbours
which are useful to
shelter the ships during
emergency situations
like storms or any other
natural calamities.
Harbours of refuge are
constructed with large
entrance and they are
easily accessible. They
provide good Anchorage
to the vessels against
storms and tides.
Classification based on UTILITY

24. Military Harbour
Military harbours are
used as naval bases,
where war ships are
rested while there is no
work in the sea or during
repair works. No other
private ships should not
enter this without
permission.
Some large military
naval vessels can carry
aircrafts so, very large
area of harbour is
required because of large
vessels.
Classification based on UTILITY

25. Fishing Harbour
Fishery harbours are
specially meant to cargos
carrying seafood or
aquatic animals. They
are always opened to
fishing ships for loading
and unloading. For
preserving the sea food
sufficient space is
provided near harbour.
Classification based on UTILITY

26.  Harbour situated along sea shore is
termed as ocean harbour. Sea ports
are of very large area and loading
and unloading of goods also done
in larger quantities. Different
countries are connected by these
ports.
 River harbours are constructed in
the rivers which finally connects to
sea. So, these enable the navigation
inside a country from non-coastal
areas.
CLASSIFICATION BASED ON
LOCATION
Ocean Harbour River Harbour

27. Canal Harbour Lake Harbour
 Canal harbours are also similar to
river harbours but a canal is
connected to sea through a major
river.
 Harbour situated along sea shore is
termed as Lake harbour.
CLASSIFICATION BASED ON
LOCATION

28. PORT
 India has a vast coast line of about 7400 kms served by
13 major ports and about 184 minor ports and private
ports.
 Port is important in international trade. Since a seaport is
the nerve of foreign trade permitting import of goods.
 The major ports are those ports which are under the
preview of the central government and the minor ports also
known as non major ports.
 However, only 61 of the 185 minor ports provide round the
year berthing facilities.

29. CLASSIFICATION OF PORTS
PORT
CLASSIFICATION
Ocean
Port
This is a port
intended for large
ocean going
ships.
River
Port
River port is
located on the
banks of the river
inside the land.
Entry
Port
This is location
where foreign
citizens and
goods are cleared
through custom
house.
Free
Port
This is an isolated
and enclosed area
within which
goods may be
landed, stored,
mixed, repacked,
manufactured
and reshipped
without payment
of duties.

30. MAJOR PORTS IN INDIA

32. KANDLA PORT, GUJARAT
The Growth Engine of
India host of the major
seaport of west coast,
The Port of Kandla is the
first special economic
zone in India as well as in
Asia
Kandla Port is hub for
major imports like
petroleum, chemicals and
iron also export grains,
salt and textiles.
Port of Kandla is one of
the highest earning ports
of India, another port in
Gujarat is Mundra Port,
India’s largest private
port.

33. JAWAHARLAL NEHRU PORT,
MAHARASHTRA
Jawaharlal Nehru Port first
name is Nhava Sheva.
Nehru port is situated at the
mainland of Konkan area
across the Navi Mumbai
Maharashtra.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port is the
largest container port in India
Jawaharlal Nehru Port is the
king port of Arabian Sea at
west coast.
JNP handle a large volume of
international container traffic
and domestic cargo traffic.
The major exports are
textiles, carpets, boneless meat
and main imports are
machinery, vegetable oils and
chemicals.

34. MUMBAI PORT, MAHARASHTRA
The Mumbai Port is
located in the mainland of
west Mumbai on the West
coast of India.
Mumbai Port is natural
deep-water harbour.
Mumbai Port is the
largest port in India.
Mumbai Port handles
bulk cargo traffic with its
four jetties for handling
Liquid chemicals, Crude
and petroleum products
International container
traffic of Mumbai Port is
directed to the new
and big Jawaharlal Nehru
port.

35. MARMAGAO PORT, GOA
The main port of Goa
Marmagao port is a best
natural harbour of India
located in South Goa.
Marmagao port is one of
the leading iron ores
exporter port in India.
The port of Marmagao is
one of the major
attraction of Goa along
with the beautiful city of
Vasco da Gama.
International Airport
Dabolim.
The natural harbour of
Goa is one of India’s
earliest modern ports.

36. MANGALORE PORT, KARNATAKA
First name of Mangalore port
is Panambur Port.
Seaport located near to
Surathkal railway station in
Dakshina Kannada district of
Karnataka.
New Mangalore Port is a deep
water all weather port and the
only major port of Karnataka
and one of the largest port in
India.
Port of Mangalore export
major commodities like
manganese, granite stones,
coffee and cashew. Main
imports includes timber logs ,
LPG , petroleum products and
cargo containers.
There is a beautiful beach at
south of sea port of Panambur
along with the shore of the
Arabian Sea.

37. COCHIN PORT, KERALA
The Cochin port is one of
the largest port in India.
The major port on the
Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean
sea route.
The port of Cochin lies on
two islands of Willingdon and
Vallarpadam.
The largest container trans-
shipment facility in India.
Kochi Port is equipped with
maritime facilities Cochin
Shipyard, Kochi Refineries
and Kochi Marina.
Kochi city is famous for its
traditional spices.
Well known as the port city
of Fort Kochi during the
European colonials.

38. PORT BLAIR,
ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR
ISLANDS
Port Blair is the capital
city of Andaman Nicobar
Islands
Andaman Nicobar Islands,
a Union Territory of India
located at the juncture of
the Bay of Bengal and
Andaman Sea.
Port Blair is the youngest
sea port in India and one of
the 12 major port of the
country.
Port Blair is the principal
hub for shipping in the
islands of Andaman.
One of the most popular
tourist destination with
several places of interest
around like virgin beaches,
scuba diving and water
sports.

39. TUTICORIN PORT, TAMIL NADU
Tuticorin Port is an artificial
deep-sea harbour and one of
the 13 major ports of India.
It is also known as Tuticorin
Port.
It is also the second largest
port in Tamil Nadu.
First is Chennai Port.
One of the largest container
terminal in India.
The artificial port of Tuticorin
is a all weather port and who
receive a large volume of
international traffic.
Port of Tuticorin are a used to
be best port for maritime trade
and pearl fishery on the bay of
Bengal.

40. CHENNAI PORT, TAMIL NADU
Madras Port is the one of
the oldest port of India.
Second largest port in the
country.
Chennai Port also the
largest port in the Bay of
Bengal.
Hub port for cars, big
containers and cargo traffic
in the east coast of India.
Port of the Coromandel
Coast handles a variety of
cargo containers.
Eg:- Automobiles, Coal,
Fertilizers, Petroleum
Products.
Chennai Port terminals
have light houses around,
Intra port connectivity,
Pipelines and railway
terminus.

41. VISAKHAPATNAM PORT,
ANDHRA PRADESH
Port city Visakhapatnam is
located on the southeast
coast of India in the state of
Andhra Pradesh.
Visakhapatnam or Vizag
has one of the India’s
largest seaport and the
oldest shipyard of country.
The Visakhapatnam
harbours is the only Natural
harbours in the bay of
Bengal shore.
The government aims to
triple india's total port
capacity to 3.1 billion tonnes
by 2020.
Coal is manually unloaded
from vessels and shovelled
onto trucks that take it to an
open stack yard from where
winds carry coal dust to the
city.

42. PARADIP PORT, ODISSA
The artificial, deep
water port of east coast
of India is located in the
Jagatsinghpur district of
Orissa state.
Port of Paradip is the
major port in the east
cost shore.
Port is situated at the
confluence of great river
Mahanadi and the Bay of
Bengal.
Paradip Port has its
own railway system.
Cold handling plant
and a national highway
connects the port with
rest of Indian road
networks.

43. HALDIA PORT, WEST BENGAL
Haldia port is also
known as Calcutta port.
Haldia port or Calcutta
Port is a major seaport
situated near the
Hooghly River in the
state of West Bengal.
Port of Haldia is one of
the major trade centre
for Calcutta.
Calcutta port receive
bulk cargo of chemicals,
Petrochemicals and oils.
Port of Kolkata is also a
base of Indian Coast
Guard.

44. KOLLAM PORT, KERALA
Kollam Port is one of the
major ports in India.
Port is situated 4 km
away from heart of the
City of Kollam- The
Cashew Capital of the
World.
It is the second largest
port in Kerala by volume
of cargo handled and
facilities.
The Port is governed by
the Directorate of Ports
Department of
Government of Kerala.
Now a customs clearance
centre and cement packing
terminal is working in the
port. The wharf can easily
handle ships up to 200
Meters in length.

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