Catastrophic Fire at Paradip Port, Multiple Vessels Destroyed！

I. Event Overview

On the evening of the 6th, a catastrophic fire broke out at Paradip Port in Odisha, eastern India. Amidst the night, flames shot into the sky, and thick smoke billowed as several fishing vessels moored along the shore caught fire one after another, with some suffering severe damage. The Times of India preliminarily estimated that the losses could reach billions of rupees (approximately RMB 83 million). Following the incident, firefighters rushed to the scene to extinguish the fire, while the cause of the accident is still under investigation.

II. Port Profile

1. Geographical Location and Regional Connectivity

Geographical Location

Paradip Port is located in Jagatsinghpur, Odisha, on the eastern coast of India, at the confluence of the Mahanadi River and the Bay of Bengal, with geographical coordinates at 20°15'55.44" N, 86°40'34.62" E. It is 210 nautical miles north of Kolkata and 260 nautical miles south of Visakhapatnam. As a deep-water port on India's east coast, its natural geographical position makes it a vital node connecting East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, serving as a core hub for bulk cargo transportation and international trade in the region.

Regional Connectivity

Through the Bay of Bengal, Paradip Port forms maritime trade routes with neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, particularly serving the export of resources (such as iron ore and coal) from eastern India to markets like Japan and China. The port plans to enhance connectivity with other domestic ports through railways (the Paradip-Haridaspur line) and coastal highways (connecting Dhamara Port and Astaranga Port).

2. Characteristics as a Basic Port

Core Cargo

The port mainly handles bulk dry cargo, such as coal and iron ore, and also has a general cargo terminal.

Handling Capacity

As an artificial deep-water port, Paradip Port is designed to accommodate vessels up to 60,000 tons.

Port Services

It provides services for vessel berthing, cargo handling, and basic maintenance.

Management Weaknesses

The port lacks advanced services (such as supply chain integration and digital logistics), relying on traditional operational models, which restrict the development of multimodal transportation.

3. Constraints of Natural Conditions on Development

Draft and Tide Range

The port has a maximum draft of about 12 meters, but the tide range data is not clear (it is speculated that the monsoon has a significant impact). Heavy rainfall and river sedimentation during the rainy season (June-September) may affect the navigability of the channel.

Sustainability Challenges

The risk of operational interruptions during the rainy season is high, with increased dredging costs, constraining port expansion and the ability to accommodate larger vessels.

Infrastructure Upgrade Needs

Currently, the port relies on manual dredging to maintain channel depth and needs continuous investment to cope with hydrological fluctuations caused by climate change.

4. Management Corruption and Social Security Risks

Corruption and Kickbacks

As a government-owned entity, the port faces issues of redundant hierarchy and corruption risks (such as kickbacks from public terminal management fees and extortionate behavior), leading to low service efficiency. The lack of transparent regulatory mechanisms hinders the introduction of foreign investment and technological upgrades.

Regional Tensions

Paradip Port is adjacent to the disputed waters of the Bay of Bengal. Fisheries disputes with neighboring countries (such as Bangladesh) may lead to conflicts involving fishing activities by fishermen from both countries in the Bay of Bengal. These disputes not only affect the livelihoods of fishermen but also create diplomatic and economic tensions. Combined with local social conflicts in Odisha (such as indigenous land issues), the indigenous people (Scheduled Tribes) in Odisha have long faced issues of land ownership and resource development. For example, during mineral resource development, indigenous people feel deprived due to unequal resource distribution, and such conflicts may escalate and threaten port operations.

Ⅲ Paradip Port Shipping Routes

Paradip Port is a maritime port and a natural deep-water harbor. Although it is near a river mouth, its primary function is maritime cargo transshipment, not inland waterway transportation.

1. Upstream and Downstream Ports

Upstream Ports

• Kolkata Port: Located 210 nautical miles north of Paradip Port, it is a traditional major port in eastern India, serving as a regional cargo distribution hub.
• Dhamara Port and Astaranga Port: Connected through planned coastal highways to form a regional port network.

Downstream Ports

• Visakhapatnam Port: Located 260 nautical miles south of Paradip Port, it is another important bulk cargo hub on the east coast.
• Chennai Port: The main container port in southern India, it complements Paradip Port through shipping routes.

International Associated Ports

• Mumbai Port: Located approximately 1,925 nautical miles (3,565 kilometers) from Paradip Port, it is the core port on India's west coast, connected to Paradip Port through maritime shipping routes.
• Major Japanese Ports (e.g., Tokyo, Osaka): Paradip Port has long-term stable trade routes with Japan, exporting resources such as iron ore and manganese ore.

2. Major Shipping Routes

• India-Pakistan Route: As an important node on the India-Pakistan shipping line, Paradip Port handles cargo transportation between India, Pakistan, and neighboring countries, mainly involving bulk cargo and commodities.
• Asia Regional Route: The port focuses on bulk cargo and energy transportation, including iron ore, manganese ore, coal (dominant), mica, etc., with trade involving China, Japan, and South Korea, transporting resources such as iron ore, coal, and petroleum.
• Southeast Asia Route: Connecting with ports in Singapore and Malaysia, handling container and industrial raw materials.
• Domestic Coastal Route: Forming a network with other east coast ports in India, such as Kolkata, Visakhapatnam, and Chennai, serving the logistics needs of domestic industries such as coal, steel, and fertilizers.

The Indian government plans to upgrade port facilities through the Sagarmala project and construct outer harbor terminals to accommodate larger vessels. Additionally, Paradip Port will form a coastal economic belt with Dhamara Port and Astaranga Port to strengthen regional logistics integration. New planned railways and highways (such as the Paradip-Haridaspur railway and the Greenfield Corridor Highway) will further enhance connectivity with the inland hinterland.

Ⅳ Port-Related Accidents

In recent years, Paradip Port has witnessed several accidents:

• May 26, 2024: A Filipino crew member fell 30 feet from the crane cabin while cleaning the ship, dying instantly. This incident raised concerns about port safety protocols.
• November 30, 2023: A bulk carrier was detained at Paradip Port after 22 kilograms of cocaine were found on top of the ship's crane. The vessel was held by Indian authorities for over a year, with 21 crew members trapped onboard.
• March 2023: A fire broke out in the coal storage area due to spontaneous combustion from high temperatures. The fire lasted for several hours, with a large amount of coal being destroyed. No casualties were reported. The long-term accumulation of coal led to internal oxidation and heat generation, exacerbated by high temperatures, highlighting the insufficient management of open storage yards and prompting the port to accelerate the construction of enclosed storage facilities.

Ⅴ Port Safety Alert

The recent fire at Paradip Port not only caused direct impacts on local fishermen and port operations but also exposed the underlying safety challenges behind busy logistics hubs. As a strategic gateway on India's east coast, Paradip Port carries the economic lifeline of the region and the heavy responsibility of international trade. Faced with emergencies like fires, the port must address potential hazards from multiple aspects, including electrical equipment maintenance, hazardous cargo management, machinery upkeep, and personnel safety awareness. Comprehensive inspections, improved emergency plans, and enhanced daily supervision are essential.

The findings of this accident investigation will also provide valuable lessons for global port safety management, prompting the industry to further enhance safety standards and emergency response capabilities. Only by strengthening hazardous material management, upgrading emergency systems, and deepening multi-party collaboration can we safeguard the prosperity of this deep-water port and prevent fire and smoke from consuming the fruits of development. E-PORTS, as a third-party global intelligent maritime services management platform, offers comprehensive maritime service solutions for ships in global ports. For inquiries or consultations on Paradip Port-related matters and port solutions, please contact E-PORTS:

• WhatsApp/WeChat: 13816101982
• Email: [email protected]