Great Nicobar’s ₹43,796 Crore Galathea Bay Port: Phase I Targets 2028

India’s proposed International Container Transhipment Port at Galathea Bay in Great Nicobar is planned as a major maritime infrastructure project designed to strengthen India’s position in regional transhipment.

The project is being developed in four phases, with the first phase targeted for commissioning in 2028. Government documents place the estimated overall project cost at approximately ₹43,796 crore.

The port is planned to eventually handle up to 16 million TEUs, with the first phase designed for approximately 4 million TEUs.

Why Galathea Bay Matters

A large proportion of India’s transhipped cargo is currently handled by foreign ports, including major hubs in Colombo, Singapore and Port Klang.

Galathea Bay’s location close to major international shipping routes gives it strategic importance.

The proposed port could allow more cargo to be transhipped within India rather than routed through foreign ports.

That could generate foreign-exchange savings while strengthening India’s maritime logistics network.

Four-Phase Development

The Galathea Bay project is planned to be developed in four phases.

Phase I is targeted for 2028 and is expected to provide approximately 4 million TEUs of annual handling capacity.

At full development, the port is expected to reach a capacity of around 16 million TEUs.

The project involves major marine infrastructure, including breakwaters, dredging, reclamation, berths, storage facilities, utilities and cargo-handling equipment.

Supporting infrastructure such as a port colony and related facilities is also planned.

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Logistics and Economic Impact

The project could have an impact beyond port operations.

Government assessments have identified opportunities in ship supplies, ship repair, crew-change facilities, logistics services, warehousing and bunkering.

The development could also generate employment during construction and operation.

Its location in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands gives the project a wider strategic dimension because of the islands’ proximity to major international shipping routes.

A Strategic Maritime Infrastructure Project

India has been expanding its port infrastructure and seeking to increase the capacity of its maritime logistics network.

The Galathea Bay project fits into that strategy by attempting to create a large-scale transhipment hub capable of competing for regional cargo.

The project’s long-term scale is particularly significant.

A 4-million-TEU first phase would establish substantial initial capacity, while the planned 16-million-TEU ultimate capacity could make Galathea Bay one of the country’s most important transhipment facilities.

With Phase I targeted for 2028, the project will remain an important infrastructure development to watch over the coming years.