India’s major ports have demonstrated remarkable resilience and expanding capacity, handling a record 855 million tonnes of cargo in the fiscal year 2025.
This represents a substantial 4.3% increase compared to the 819 million tonnes handled in FY24, according to a statement released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW). This growth trajectory underscores the pivotal role of these maritime gateways in facilitating India’s burgeoning trade volumes and their increasing operational efficiency, which is crucial for supporting the nation’s economic aspirations and the development of sustainable industrial hubs connected by efficient logistics.
The surge in cargo traffic was primarily propelled by significant increases in key sectors. Container throughput witnessed a robust 10% growth, reflecting the increasing movement of manufactured goods vital for urban consumption and industrial supply chains. Fertiliser handling also saw a substantial 13% rise, crucial for supporting India’s agricultural sector and ensuring food security across its vast urban and rural landscapes. Furthermore, the handling of petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) increased by 3%, indicative of the energy demands of a growing economy and its urban centres. Miscellaneous commodities registered an impressive 31% growth, highlighting the diversification of trade and the increasing dynamism of India’s import and export activities.
Leading the cargo volume charts were petroleum, oil, and lubricants, including crude oil, refined petroleum products, and liquefied petroleum gas/liquefied natural gas (LPG/LNG), which accounted for a substantial 254.5 million tonnes, or 29.8% of the total cargo handled in FY25. This dominance underscores the continued reliance on these commodities to fuel industrial activity and urban energy needs, even as the nation transitions towards cleaner energy sources. Container traffic followed closely, reaching 193.5 million tonnes (22.6%), highlighting the increasing significance of containerisation in global and domestic trade. Coal handling stood at 186.6 million tonnes (21.8%), reflecting its continued importance in power generation and industrial processes, although with a growing emphasis on cleaner coal technologies and renewable energy alternatives to mitigate environmental impact on urban air quality. Other significant cargo categories included iron ore, pellets, and fertilisers, each playing a crucial role in supporting various sectors of the Indian economy.
A significant milestone was achieved with the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) both handling over 150 million tonnes of cargo for the first time in the history of major ports. This achievement reinforces their status as vital hubs for maritime trade and showcases their enhanced operational excellence and capacity to handle large volumes, contributing significantly to the efficiency of India’s supply chain and supporting industrial development in their respective regions. Meanwhile, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) set a new record by handling 7.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of container traffic, registering an impressive 13.5% year-on-year growth. This highlights JNPA’s crucial role as a major gateway for containerised trade, essential for the seamless flow of goods into and out of India’s urban and industrial centres.
In FY25, Indian ports collectively allocated a significant 962 acres of land for industrialisation initiatives, which are projected to generate an income of ₹7,565 crore over the fiscal year. Furthermore, lessees are expected to invest a substantial ₹68,780 crore on the allotted land in the future, reaffirming strong investor confidence in the concept of port-led industrial development. This strategy aims to create industrial clusters around major ports, fostering economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and establishing efficient supply chains that can support both domestic consumption and export-oriented manufacturing, contributing to the economic vibrancy of nearby urban areas.
Private sector participation has played a pivotal role in this transformation, with investments in public-private partnership (PPP) projects at major ports increasing threefold from ₹1,329 crore in FY23 to ₹3,986 crore in FY25. This surge in private investment underscores the attractiveness of India’s port sector and the confidence of private players in its growth potential and the government’s supportive policies. Operational performance also continued its upward trajectory in FY25, with pre-berthing detention time (on port account) improving by around 36% compared to FY24. This reduction in waiting times for vessels translates to increased efficiency, faster turnaround times, and lower logistics costs, ultimately benefiting trade and commerce.
The financial performance of major ports has also been robust, with total income increasing by 8% to ₹24,203 crore in FY25 from ₹22,468 crore in FY24. Operating surplus grew by 7% to ₹12,314 crore in FY25 from ₹11,512 crore in FY24, highlighting the financial sustainability and operational efficiency gains within the sector.
Sarbananda Sonowal, Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, expressed immense pride in the achievements, highlighting the tireless efforts in modernising port infrastructure, enhancing operational efficiency, and fostering private sector participation. He emphasised the resilience and readiness of Indian ports to support the nation’s growing trade ambitions.
Looking at the decade-long growth from FY15 to FY25, cargo volumes surged from 581 million tonnes to approximately 855 million tonnes, registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4%. Containerised cargo witnessed a remarkable 70% increase over the decade, from 7.9 million TEUs in FY15 to 13.5 million in FY25. Conventional commodities also saw significant growth. Productivity indicators also showed substantial improvement, with output per ship berth day (OSBD) rising from 12,458 tonnes to 18,304 tonnes, average turnaround time (TRT) improving by 48% to 49.5 hours, pre-berthing detention time improving by 24% to 3.8 hours, and idle time falling by 29% to 16.3%. Financial performance over the decade has been equally impressive, with total income more than doubling and operating surplus nearly tripling, while the operating ratio improved significantly, reinforcing the financial sustainability of India’s major ports.
India’s major ports are now strategically positioned to elevate their competitiveness further, supported by continuous investments in mechanisation, process reengineering, port community systems, and multi-modal logistics integration. These initiatives are expected to result in even higher cargo volumes, further reductions in vessel wait times, optimised capacity utilisation, and increased investor confidence, ultimately strengthening India’s role in global trade and supporting the growth and sustainability of its urban and industrial centres.
Also Read: New Kochi Initiative to Boost Sustainable Shipbuilding and Repair Across India
