The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has stated that India’s major ports handled 915.17 million tonnes of cargo in the financial year 2025-26, exceeding the annual target of 904 million tonnes and registering a 7.06 per cent year-on-year increase.
The cargo performance reflects continued expansion in port capacity and efficiency, alongside improvements in logistics integration and infrastructure across major ports.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said, “The record cargo handling of over 915 million tonnes by our Major Ports is a testament to the Government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening India’s maritime sector.”
He added that efforts were focused on building world-class port infrastructure and enabling seamless logistics under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Among individual ports, Deendayal Port Authority handled the highest cargo at 160.11 million tonnes, followed by Paradip Port Authority at 156.45 million tonnes and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority at 102.01 million tonnes.
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Other major ports including Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, Chennai and New Mangalore also contributed significantly to overall cargo throughput.
In terms of growth rates, Mormugao Port Authority recorded the highest increase at 15.91 per cent, followed by Kolkata Dock System at 14.28 per cent and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority at 10.74 per cent, indicating improved operational efficiency and rising cargo volumes.
The ministry attributed the sustained growth to capacity augmentation, modernisation of port infrastructure, stronger multimodal connectivity, and improved hinterland linkages.
The adoption of digital and smart port initiatives, along with increased handling of key commodities such as coal, crude oil, containers, fertilisers and petroleum products, also supported the growth trajectory.
Improved turnaround time and ease of doing business across ports were cited as additional contributing factors.
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