India’s major ports have registered an unprecedented performance in the fiscal year 2024-25, handling an estimated 855 million tonnes of cargo, a robust 4.3% increase compared to the 819 million tonnes managed in the preceding fiscal.
This landmark achievement, as reported by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, underscores the dynamic expansion of the nation’s maritime sector and its escalating significance in the intricate web of global commerce. The surge in throughput was propelled by substantial upticks across key segments, including a notable 10% rise in container traffic, a 13% increase in fertiliser handling, a steady 3% growth in Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) cargo, and an impressive 31% surge in miscellaneous commodities. The composition of cargo handled at these vital gateways reveals the nation’s economic priorities and consumption patterns. POL constituted the lion’s share, reaching 254.5 million tonnes, nearly 30% of the total volume. Containers followed, accounting for 193.5 million tonnes (22.6%), while coal comprised 186.6 million tonnes (21.8%). The remaining volume encompassed essential commodities such as iron ore, pellets, fertilisers, and a diverse range of other goods crucial for India’s industrial and agricultural sectors.
Fiscal year 2024-25 also marked a historic juncture for individual port authorities. Both the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) crossed the significant 150-million-tonne cargo handling threshold for the first time in their operational histories. Simultaneously, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) achieved a record container throughput of 7.3 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), registering an impressive 13.5% growth over its performance in the previous fiscal year. These individual achievements collectively underscore the enhanced efficiency and capacity across India’s major port infrastructure. A pivotal aspect of this growth trajectory is the strategic emphasis on port-led industrialisation. In FY 2024-25, approximately 962 acres of port land, valued at ₹7,565 crore, were allocated for this purpose. This proactive land allocation is projected to attract substantial future investments to the tune of ₹68,780 crore, signalling strong and sustained investor confidence in the long-term potential of India’s port ecosystem and its role in driving industrial growth and creating employment opportunities. Furthermore, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have witnessed remarkable traction, with investment in PPP projects at major ports nearly tripling from ₹1,329 crore in FY 2022-23 to ₹3,986 crore in FY 2024-25, highlighting the synergistic role of public and private capital in bolstering infrastructure development.
Operational efficiency has also witnessed significant improvements, contributing to the overall success. Pre-Berthing Detention (PBD) Time, a crucial indicator of port efficiency, improved by nearly 36% compared to the previous fiscal year, signifying smoother vessel movement and reduced waiting times. This enhanced efficiency translates to lower logistics costs and faster turnaround times for businesses. Consequently, the total income from major ports grew by a healthy 8% to ₹24,203 crore, while the operating surplus increased by 7% to ₹12,314 crore, demonstrating the financial robustness of the sector. The sustained growth of India’s major ports over the past decade paints a compelling picture of progress. From FY 2014-15 to FY 2024-25, cargo volumes surged from 581 million tonnes to the current record of 855 million tonnes, indicating a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of approximately 4%. Container traffic witnessed even more dramatic expansion, growing by 70% over the same period, from 7.9 million TEUs to 13.5 million TEUs. Operational metrics have also seen substantial enhancements, with Output per Ship Berth Day (OSBD) rising from 12,458 tonnes to 18,304 tonnes, Average Turnaround Time (TRT) improving by 48%, and Idle Time reducing by 29%.
These achievements position India’s major ports as increasingly competitive global trade hubs. This enhanced competitiveness is underpinned by ongoing investments in digitalisation to streamline processes, the development of multimodal logistics infrastructure to ensure seamless connectivity, and a growing focus on sustainable infrastructure to minimise environmental impact. The performance in FY 2024-25 serves as a powerful testament to the efficacy of strategic reforms and the positive outcomes of collaborative engagement among various stakeholders in propelling India’s maritime ambitions towards a greener and more prosperous future.
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