By THE NEWSMAN OF INDIA.COM| Gaurav Dayal, IAS, Chairperson of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), articulated a forward-looking vision for India’s maritime future during his visit to the International Conference on Digital Supply Chains & Smart Ports 2026, hosted by Symbiosis. The conference brought together global maritime leaders, technology innovators and policymakers to deliberate on the evolving architecture of port-led development and digital trade ecosystems.

Addressing delegates, Dayal shared insights from JNPA’s ongoing transformation journey, positioning India’s largest container port as a benchmark for smart, sustainable and resilient port operations. He underlined that the future of ports lies not merely in scale, but in intelligence—driven by selective automation, integrated digital platforms and robust Port Community Systems that seamlessly connect stakeholders across the logistics value chain.

Dayal highlighted how JNPA is leveraging digitalisation to enhance efficiency, transparency and predictability in cargo movement, while simultaneously aligning with sustainability goals through clean and renewable energy solutions. He stressed that smart port ecosystems must be built on strong foundations of collaboration and interoperability, ensuring that diverse systems and stakeholders can work in unison without friction.

A key emphasis of his address was cybersecurity and skilled manpower, which he described as critical enablers in an increasingly digital and data-driven maritime environment. With supply chains becoming more complex and technology-dependent, safeguarding digital infrastructure and investing in human capital are essential for long-term resilience.

Dayal also pointed to multimodal connectivity as a cornerstone of future-ready ports, noting that seamless integration of road, rail and inland waterways is vital for reducing logistics costs and improving India’s global trade competitiveness.

As global trade undergoes rapid transformation, JNPA’s commitment to adopting cutting-edge technologies and global best practices reflects a broader national ambition. By reimagining ports as smart, sustainable and interconnected hubs, JNPA continues to strengthen India’s gateway to global trade and reinforce its role in shaping the future of maritime supply chains.