UN/LOCODE: INSTV📍 India

Port of Surat (UN/LOCODE INSTV)

❖ Coordinates: 21.1700°N, 72.8300°E

❖ Time Zone: Asia/Calcutta

❖ UN/LOCODE: INSTV

## About the Port Surat Port, designated by UN/LOCODE as INSTV, represents one of India's most strategically significant maritime gateways on the western coast. Located strategically along the Arabian Sea at coordinates 21.17°N latitude and 72.83°E longitude, this dynamic port operates within the Asia/Calcutta timezone and serves as a critical maritime infrastructure node in the state of Gujarat. The port's geographical positioning offers exceptional advantages for maritime commerce, situated approximately 370 kilometers southwest of Mumbai and 280 kilometers northeast of Ahmedabad. This optimal location provides seamless connectivity to India's premier industrial corridors while maintaining direct access to international shipping routes traversing the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Surat Port functions as a natural deep-water harbor, capable of accommodating vessels up to 150,000 deadweight tons, making it a preferred destination for large-scale bulk carriers and container ships alike. Operating under the administrative framework of the Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited, Surat Port has evolved into a modern, privately-managed maritime facility that adheres to international best practices in port operations and cargo handling efficiency. ## History The maritime heritage of Surat dates back centuries, with historical records indicating its establishment as a trading hub during the 16th century when it emerged as a crucial link in the global spice trade network connecting European markets with Indian subcontinent commodities. The British East India Company established formal trading relationships here in the 17th century, recognizing the port's strategic importance for accessing inland markets via the Tapi River system. The modern incarnation of Surat Port began its structured development phase in the early 1990s following the Gujarat Maritime Board's initiative to transform the natural harbor into a commercially viable deep-water terminal. The project gained significant momentum in 2007 when Adani Ports secured a 30-year concession agreement, initiating comprehensive infrastructure modernization programs that included the construction of multi-modal cargo handling facilities, automated berthing systems, and integrated logistics parks. Throughout the 2010s, Surat Port underwent transformative expansion, incorporating advanced cargo management technologies and establishing specialized terminals for bulk commodities, liquid cargo, and containerized freight. The port's evolution reflects India's broader maritime infrastructure development strategy aimed at creating competitive, world-class port facilities that can effectively compete with established regional hubs. ## Infrastructure & Facilities Surat Port encompasses a total cargo handling capacity exceeding 120 million tonnes annually, distributed across multiple specialized terminals designed to accommodate diverse cargo types efficiently. The port infrastructure includes five deep-water berths equipped with gantry cranes, rubber-tired gantry (RTG) cranes, and advanced cargo handling equipment capable of processing 2,500 metric tons per hour. The container terminal facilities feature state-of-the-art automated stacking cranes, GPS-enabled container tracking systems, and dedicated yard areas spanning 280 acres, providing seamless connectivity to India's national highway network and railway infrastructure. Liquid cargo handling facilities include dedicated oil terminals with storage capacity exceeding 2.5 million barrels, equipped with modern loading arms, vapor recovery systems, and environmental monitoring equipment compliant with international safety standards. Bulk cargo operations benefit from specialized conveyor systems, rail-mounted gantry cranes, and covered storage yards for agricultural commodities including coal, fertilizers, and mineral exports. The port's industrial liaison services facilitate seamless coordination between cargo handlers, shipping agencies, and customs authorities through integrated digital platforms and real-time communication networks. Advanced infrastructure amenities include a dedicated pilot station, vessel traffic management systems, comprehensive weather monitoring stations, and emergency response facilities staffed with trained maritime personnel and specialized equipment. ## Economic Importance Surat Port serves as a critical economic catalyst for Gujarat's industrial ecosystem, directly supporting over 150,000 employment opportunities across cargo handling, logistics, and ancillary service sectors. The port's strategic location positions it as an essential maritime gateway for India's rapidly expanding petrochemical industry, facilitating the import of crude oil and export of refined petroleum products, chemicals, and specialty polymers. The diamond trading sector, concentrated in neighboring Rajasthan and Gujarat's Kutch district, heavily relies on Surat Port for international shipments, establishing it as one of the world's premier diamond export hubs. Annual diamond exports through the port consistently exceed $25 billion, underscoring its pivotal role in global luxury goods supply chains. Agricultural commodity exports, particularly from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, utilize Surat Port as a primary maritime exit point for cotton, synthetic fibers, and food processing outputs. The port's integration with India's multi-modal transport network enhances regional trade facilitation, reducing logistics costs and improving supply chain efficiency for domestic manufacturers and exporters. ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo Surat Port maintains strategic connectivity with major global shipping lanes, featuring regular liner services to Middle Eastern ports including Dubai, Muscat, and Doha, alongside frequent connections to Southeast Asian gateways such as Singapore, Port Klang, and Shanghai. The port's vessel traffic patterns indicate strong seasonal variations, with peak activity corresponding to monsoon seasons when agricultural exports maximize cargo volumes. Major cargo categories handled at Surat Port include: **Containerized Trade:** Electronics components, textiles, pharmaceutical products, and manufactured goods representing approximately 35% of total cargo volume. **Bulk Commodities:** Coal imports for power generation, fertilizer exports for agricultural markets, and mineral exports including copper and zinc concentrates. **Liquid Cargo:** Crude oil imports, refined petroleum products, chemical intermediates, and specialty liquid cargo serving India's petrochemical industry requirements. **Agricultural Exports:** Cotton bales, synthetic fiber yarn, processed food products, and diamond stones representing high-value cargo streams with significant foreign exchange earnings potential. The port's proximity to India's western industrial belt, including Pune, Mumbai, and Navi Mumbai manufacturing clusters, ensures consistent cargo inflows supporting just-in-time manufacturing operations while maintaining efficient export channels for finished goods destined for global markets.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

INSTV

Country

India

Province / Region

Gujarat

Latitude

21.170000

Longitude

72.830000

Timezone

Asia/Calcutta

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Surat?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Surat is INSTV.

Where is Port of Surat located?

The Port of Surat is located in India, Gujarat. Its coordinates are 21.1700°N, 72.8300°E.

What time zone is Port of Surat in?

Port of Surat 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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