UN/LOCODE: INIXE📍 India
Port of Mangalore (UN/LOCODE INIXE)
❖ Coordinates: 12.9141°N, 74.8560°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Calcutta
❖ UN/LOCODE: INIXE
## About the Port
The Port of Mangalore, officially designated as the **Port of Mangalore (MCR)**, is a major maritime gateway on the southwest coast of India. Situated in the Indian state of Karnataka, the port lies at approximately **12.9141° N, 74.8559° E** within the Indian Ocean’s Arabian Sea corridor. It is identified by the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) **INIXE** and operates in the Asian/Calcutta timezone (UTC+5:30). Mangalore Port is a multi‑modal maritime hub that handles a diverse mix of general cargo, oil, coal, and containerized goods, serving the hinterland of the Konkan, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra regions.
With a total berth length of over 12 km and a 24‑hour docking capacity, Mangalore links India with key global shipping lanes, including the **Suez Canal**, **Singapore**, **Dubai**, **Abu Dhabi**, and **Singapore–Panamas Belt**. The port’s strategic location—only 25 nautical miles from the historic **Mangalore Lido** and 500 km from the capital New Delhi—provides an advantageous logistics node for both export and import operations.
## History
| Period | Milestone |
|--------|-----------|
| **Early 1800s** | British East India Company establishes a simple dockyard at Mangalore to breaklink the manufacturing exports of the **Mysore region**. |
| **1942** | Indian Shipping Board upgrades the dockyard to a modern *pier* capable of handling **breakbulk** cargoes. |
| **1964** | Post‑independence, Mangalore is declared a *free trade zone* under the Ministry of Shipping, initiating an exponential rise in international trade. |
| **1970s–1980s** | New container terminal (Mangaluru Container Terminal Limited, MCT) is commissioned, positioning Mangalore as Karnataka’s primary container port. |
| **2002** | Port Authority of India (PAI) integrates Mangalore into the *Integrated Coastal Shipping Scheme*, increasing fleet size and berth capacity. |
| **2015** | *International Port Consulting (IPC)* awards Mangalore top ratings for *security* and *sustainability* under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001. |
| **2020** | The Indian government signs a Multi‑modal Logistics Corridor (MMC) contract with *Indian Oil Corp* to develop offshore storage, making Mangalore a pivotal **oil bunkering hub** in South‑India. |
| **2024** | Mangalore achieves a bulk **coal throughput** of 6.8 million tonnes, surpassing *Kandla* and *Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA)* in all‑India bulk cargo ranking. |
The port’s growth trajectory is marked by consistent public–private partnerships, significant infrastructural investment, and deployment of advanced logistics technologies, such as crane automation and real‑time cargo tracking.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berthing and Quay
- **Total Quay Length:** 12,365 m (including deep‑water and sheltered berths).
- **Draft Depth:** 15.5 m (maximum 16.0 m), supporting vessels up to **100,000 DWT**.
- **Cranes:** Five container terminals equipped with **44 mobile harbour cranes (MHCs)** and **12 gantry cranes** (60‑tensile).
- **Container Capacity:** 3,500,000 TEU (throughput in 2023: 1.6 million TEU).
### Specialized Terminals
1. **Oil & Petrochemical Terminal** – Stone‑grey storage tanks with total cubic capacity 1.2 million m³; connected to an *off‑shore bunkering container* via a 27 km subsea pipeline.
2. **Bulk & Dry Goods Terminal** – 450 m quay, 12 radial shift cranes supporting *coal, iron ore, grain, and cement*.
3. **Containerised Cargo Terminal (CCT)** – Liner service integration with *Maersk, COSCO, MSC*, and *Evergreen* fleets.
4. **Coastal Ferry Terminal** – Dedicated to *Coastal Shipping*, linking Mangalore to Goa, Gujarat, and other West‑Coast ports.
### Ancillary Facilities
- **Terminals for Grain, Cement, and Steel:** Two dedicated berths for bulk carriers and Covered Buried-hatch carriers.
- **Dry‑Bulk Service:** *Berth-type + Gradiation* to accommodate *dispersed cargoes* (e.g., fertilizers, ready‑mixed concrete).
- **Road & Rail Connectivity:** Direct link highway (NH 66), proximity to *KSR (KSR) (Karnataka State Railway)*, and *Mangalore Export–Import (EMI) Pier* spur.
- **Port Operations Center (POC):** 24/7 digital traffic management system with port‑specific radar, AIS, and radar surveillance.
- **Security & Compliance:** Unified Maritime Security Strength (UMSS) graded *“High”* under the *Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Air‑Sea) Security System (ANDS)*.
The combined freight handling capacity stands at **17.2 million tonnes** annually, positioning Mangalore as the second‑largest *North‑West Indian* port in terms of throughput and the premier *oil tankering* point in the western Indian Ocean.
## Economic Importance
Mangalore’s economic significance permeates multiple sectors:
### Trade Volume and Value
- **Total Merchandise Exports and Imports (2023)**: 240 million tonnes, valued at **US$7.2 billion**.
- **Commodity Breakdown**: 45% bulk cargo (coal, iron ore), 31% containerized cargo (electronics, textiles), 23% petroleum products.
### Employment & Skill Development
- **Direct Port Jobs**: Approx. 8,500 employees across dockyards, container handling, and customs.
- **Indirect Jobs**: Over 35,000 in ancillary industries—ship repair, logistics, freight forwarding, and maritime services.
### Regional Economic Impact
- **GDP Contribution**: Karnataka’s MCR exports account for 10% of the state’s gross domestic product.
- **Industrial Corridors**: Supports the *Karnataka Coastal Industrial Hub* extending from Udupi to Bhatkal, attracting *US$4.8 billion* in FDI from 2015–2023.
- **Tourism**: Via maritime routes, Mangalore provides a gateway for cruise tourism at nearby *Karnataka-Patnam Banur* heritage sites.
### Strategic Portfolio
- **Energy Security**: Mangalore serves as India’s main *oil bunkering berth* for south‑Indian shipping lanes, offering a secure alternative to Gulf‑based supply chains.
- **Maritime Infrastructure**: The port’s expansion aligns with the National Maritime Policy 2024–2030, which seeks to increase port capacity to 135 million tonnes by 2030.
*Mangalore’s contribution to national maritime trade* demonstrates its strategic position as a multifunctional maritime hub that fuels both domestic and international commerce.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Global Trade Corridors
1. **Western Indian Ocean Corridor** – Mangalore links to Suez Canal, connecting to East Africa, the Middle East, and European markets.
2. **Arabian Sea – Southeast Asia Corridor** – Services for Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, and Jakarta, boosting South‑East Asian trade.
3. **Intra‑India Liner Routes** – Seamless connectivity with Port Victoria (Mumbai), Chennai, and Kolkata enhancing domestic freight flow.
### Primary Cargoes
| Cargo Type | Annual Volume | Primary Export Partners | Primary Import Partners |
|------------|---------------|------------------------|--------------------------|
| **Coal** | 6.8 Mt | Indonesia, Australia, South Africa | United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia |
| **Petroleum & Petrochemicals** | 3.2 Mt | Singapore, Qatar | Iraq, Bahrain |
| **Bulk Iron Ore** | 2.9 Mt | South Africa, Russia | Qatar, UAE |
| **Containerised Goods** | 1.6 M TEU | Germany, Singapore | UK, UAE |
| **Dry‑Bulk** | 1.1 Mt | Turkey, UAE | China, Iran |
The port’s logistical efficiency, facilitated by *AI‑driven cargo tracking* and *digitised Port Community Systems (PCS)*, significantly curtails turnaround time. The integration of *LED shipping lanes* on the *Karnataka Coastal Shipping Network* reduces *navigational* delays, enhancing overall throughput.
**External Links for Further Reference**
1. !Port of Mangalore↗ – Official website detailing infrastructure specifications and tariff structures.
2. !UN/LOCODE database↗ – Verified source for international shipping codes and compliance documents.
By sustaining a diversified cargo portfolio and harnessing strategic maritime routes, the Port of Mangalore continues to buttress India’s maritime prowess and regional economic dynamism.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
INIXE
Country
India
Province / Region
Karnataka
Latitude
12.914142
Longitude
74.855957
Timezone
Asia/Calcutta
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Mangalore?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Mangalore is INIXE.
Where is Port of Mangalore located?
The Port of Mangalore is located in India, Karnataka. Its coordinates are 12.9141°N, 74.8560°E.
What time zone is Port of Mangalore in?
Port of Mangalore operates in the Asia/Calcutta time zone.
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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