India’s sale of port concessions has been a rare example of success in its privatisation efforts, and a notable participant has been P&O Ports. The UK operator, recently acquired by DP World of Dubai, has developed its three container port assets into a position of market leadership in India. The operator’s Indian container terminals are regarded as the jewels in its portfolio, but they were overshadowed in the controversy surrounding the group’s takeover by DP World last month.

US political opposition forced the company, which is ultimately controlled by the Dubai government, to strip out P&O’s ports in the US from the final transaction. In India, too, the DP World/P&O entity faces criticism over its market-dominant position, particularly on the west coast.