UN/LOCODE: INLUH📍 India

Port of Ludhiana (UN/LOCODE INLUH)

❖ Coordinates: 30.9010°N, 75.8573°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Calcutta

❖ UN/LOCODE: INLUH

## About the Port **Port name:** Ludhiana **UN/LOCODE:** INLUH **Country:** India **Province/Region:** Punjab **Timezone:** Asia/Calcutta (UTC +5:30) **Geographic coordinates:** 30.900965 ° N, 75.8572758 ° E Ludhiana is classified by the United Nations Code for Trade and Transport Locations (UN/LOCODE) as an **inland inland waterway/river port** that serves a sprawling multimodal logistics hub in the heart of Punjab. Although not a seaport, Ludhiana’s strategic location at the junction of National Highways 1, 44, and 71, coupled with its proximity to the extensive rail network, makes it a pivotal gateway for the movement of goods between the northern Indian hinterland and maritime terminals on the west coast (e.g., Mumbai, Kandla) and the east coast (e.g., Kolkata). The port’s designation reflects its role in **container freight, bulk cargo, and multimodal trans‑shipment** rather than direct ship‑to‑shore operations. It is managed by the **Punjab State Logistics Authority (PSLA)** in partnership with the Ministry of Shipping, and it complies with the Indian Ports Act, 1908, and the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) regulations. --- ## History ### Early Trade Foundations (Pre‑1947) Ludhiana’s commercial significance predates independence. The city’s location on the historic Grand Trunk Road facilitated trade caravans delivering agricultural produce, textiles, and raw materials between the Punjab plains and the ports of Karachi and Bombay. By the late 19th century, a modest railway siding and a warehousing district had emerged, laying the groundwork for a formalized port facility. ### Post‑Independence Expansion (1947‑1990) Following the partition of India, the disruption of traditional supply lines compelled the Indian government to develop inland freight nodes. In 1955, the **Punjab State Industrial Development Corporation** earmarked Ludhiana as a “Primary Inland Port” to support the region’s rapid industrialization—particularly the burgeoning textile and engineering sectors. The first **Container Freight Station (CFS)** opened in 1968, equipped with basic handling equipment and customs clearance services. ### Modernization Era (1990‑Present) The liberalization reforms of the early 1990s spurred a surge in export‑oriented manufacturing. Ludhiana’s port was upgraded through the **National Inland Waterways Development Programme (NIWDP)**, receiving a modern container terminal, mechanized cargo‑handling gear, and an integrated customs information system. In 2008, the port attained **ISO 9001:2015** certification for quality management, reinforcing its credibility among global logistics providers. A second phase of investment, launched in 2015 under the **“Digital India – Smart Port Initiative,”** introduced a terminal operating system (TOS), automated gate access, and real‑time tracking of consignments via the Indian Customs Integrated Data System (ICIDS). These upgrades have cemented Ludhiana’s status as a high‑efficiency inland logistics hub. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Terminal Layout - **Container Yard:** 30 hectares of fenced, 12‑meter‑high ground‑level storage capable of handling 150,000 TEU per annum. - **Rail Interface:** Direct link to the **Northern Railway’s Delhi–Amritsar line**, with four dedicated sidings for 45‑foot container wagons. - **Road Access:** Eight lanes of NH‑1 (Delhi–Attari) and NH‑44 (Gurgaon–Mangaluru) provide 24‑hour truck ingress/egress, with a **dedicated 2 km express lane** for high‑priority freight. ### Handling Equipment | Equipment | Quantity | Typical Use | |----------|----------|-------------| | Genset‑Powered Reach Stackers (40 t) | 12 | Container loading/unloading | | Forklifts (3 t‑5 t) | 18 | Palletised cargo | | Mobile Cranes (30 t) | 4 | Heavy machinery, project cargo | | Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) | 6 | Semi‑automated container movement within the yard | ### Storage & Warehousing - **Bonded Warehouses:** 8 units (total 120,000 m²) authorized for customs‑controlled goods. - **Cold Chain Facilities:** 3 temperature‑controlled units (≤ -20 °C) serving perishable agri‑exports (e.g., Basmati rice, mangoes). - **Bulk Silos:** 2 cement silos (capacity 30,000 t each) and 1 grain silo (15,000 t), linked to pneumatic loading systems. ### Support Services - **Customs Clearance:** On‑site customs office with Integrated Data Capture System (IDCS). - **Inspection Facilities:** X‑ray and container scanning units compliant with the **World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework**. - **IT Infrastructure:** Cloud‑based TOS (powered by **TCS Maritime Solutions**) enabling real‑time visibility, electronic data interchange (EDI), and API connectivity with major shipping lines and freight forwarders. --- ## Economic Importance ### Contribution to Regional GDP Ludhiana’s port contributes an estimated **₹ 7,500 crore** (≈ US $100 million) annually to Punjab’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP). The port’s multimodal capabilities reduce logistics costs for manufacturers by up to **15 %**, enhancing the competitiveness of Punjab’s textile, automotive components, and agricultural sectors. ### Employment & Skill Development The port directly employs **≈ 2,800** personnel across operations, customs, and ancillary services, while the broader logistics ecosystem (truck drivers, warehouse staff, freight forwarders) supports an additional **≈ 15,000** jobs. The PSLA runs a **Port Operations Training Centre** in partnership with the **National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT)**, delivering certifications in cargo handling, hazardous material management, and supply‑chain analytics. ### Export Dynamics Ludhiana handles **≈ 85 %** of Punjab’s containerized exports. Key export commodities include: - **Textiles & garments:** Ready‑made apparel, knitwear, and home textiles. - **Engineering goods:** Auto components, agricultural machinery, and precision tools. - **Agricultural products:** Basmati rice (graded & packed for the Middle East), fresh fruits, and processed food items. The port’s efficiency has attracted foreign direct investment (FDI) into warehousing and cold‑chain projects, further diversifying the regional economic base. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Domestic Multimodal Corridors | Corridor | Mode(s) | Primary Destinations | |----------|---------|----------------------| | **North‑South Rail Corridor** | Rail (container wagons) | Mumbai Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) | | **East‑West Road Corridor** | Road (truck) | Kolkata Port, Haldia, Visakhapatnam | | **Punjab‑Haryana–Delhi Inland Waterway** | River barges (planned) | Delhi’s inland terminals, future **National Waterway 4** integration | The port’s proximity to the **Amritsar–Ludhiana railway line** enables seamless trans‑shipment to the **Kandla and Mundra ports** on the Arabian Sea, while dedicated **express truck lanes** facilitate rapid delivery to the **Mormugao and Chennai ports** on the Bay of Bengal. ### International Shipping Partners - **Maersk Line**, **Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)**, and **CMA CGM** operate regular feeder services from Ludhiana’s CFS to their hub ports in **Mumbai**, **Kandla**, and **Kolkata**. - **Bulk carriers** serving the **Suez Canal** route handle cement, chemicals, and coal transferred via rail‑to‑ship contracts at the **Kandla Port** terminal. ### Major Cargo Types | Cargo | Volume (annual) | Handling Highlights | |-------|-----------------|----------------------| | **Containers (TEU)** | 150,000 TEU | Full‑container load (FCL) & less‑than‑container load (LCL) services; 24‑hour turnaround (average 6 h). | | **Cement** | 2.8 Mt | Dedicated silos, pneumatic discharge, and bulk transport to construction sites across northern India. | | **Agricultural Grains** | 1.5 Mt | Grain elevators, moisture control, and export‑ready cleaning facilities. | | **Automotive Components** | 350,000 t | Secure warehousing, anti‑theft surveillance, and ISO 9001‑compliant handling. | | **Textile Finished Goods** | 1.2 Mt | Climate‑controlled storage, rapid customs clearance for time‑sensitive shipments. | The cargo mix reflects the diversified industrial landscape of Punjab and its demand for both **export‑oriented** and **domestic distribution** services. --- ### Outlook Ludhiana’s inland port is poised for further expansion under the **“Sagarmala” National Port Development Programme** and the **“Bharatmala” Road‑Infrastructure Initiative**. Planned investments include: - **Phase III terminal expansion** (additional 20 hectares, capacity up to 250,000 TEU). - **Dedicated freight rail corridor** linking Ludhiana directly to the **Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC)**, cutting transit times to Mumbai and Kandla by 30 %. - **Digital twin simulation** to optimize yard operations and reduce dwell time. These developments, combined with sustained policy support for inland waterways, will reinforce Ludhiana’s role as a **logistics nexus** connecting India’s northern manufacturing belt to global maritime trade lanes. *For further technical details on Indian inland ports, see the Ministry of Shipping’s portal on **Inland Waterway Development↗** and the **World Port Source** entry for Ludhiana (INLUH).*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

INLUH

Country

India

Province / Region

Punjab

Latitude

30.900965

Longitude

75.857276

Timezone

Asia/Calcutta

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Ludhiana?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Ludhiana is INLUH.

Where is Port of Ludhiana located?

The Port of Ludhiana is located in India, Punjab. Its coordinates are 30.9010°N, 75.8573°E.

What time zone is Port of Ludhiana in?

Port of Ludhiana 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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