India’s maritime sector continues to show strong momentum. In Fiscal Year 2024–25, the country’s 12 major ports handled a total of 855 million tonnes of cargo — marking a 4.3% year-on-year increase, according to data released by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
This uptick reflects the resilience of India’s port infrastructure and the growing role of multimodal logistics in driving trade efficiency.
Key Highlights:
- Container traffic rose by 10%, showing strong demand in manufacturing and exports
- Fertiliser volumes surged 13%, pointing to increased agri-imports ahead of monsoon. showing strong demand in manufacturing and exports
- Petroleum, Oil & Lubricants (POL) cargo grew 3%, totaling 254.5 million tonnes — the largest category (29.8% share). showing strong demand in manufacturing and exports
- Paradip and Deendayal Ports crossed the 150 million tonne milestone — a first in their history.
- JNPA (Nhava Sheva) hit a record 7.3 million TEUs, with 13.5% annual growth in containerized cargo.
Commodities Snapshot (FY25):
Commodity
Volume (MT)
Share (%)
POL
254.5
29.80%
Container Traffic
193.5
22.60%
Coal
186.6
21.80%
Others (Iron Ore, Pellets, etc.)
Remaining
21.80%
India’s 12 major ports, governed under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021, include a strategic mix of west coast, east coast, and southern maritime gateways. These are Deendayal Port, Mumbai Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPA), Mormugao Port, New Mangalore Port, and Cochin Port on the western coast; VO Chidambaranar Port, Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port, and Visakhapatnam Port on the eastern coastline; along with Paradip Port and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, which play critical roles in connecting eastern and northeastern India to global trade routes. Collectively, these ports form the backbone of India’s seaborne trade infrastructure.
Why It Matters:
India’s increasing cargo throughput reflects strong industrial activity, improved port infrastructure, and enhanced connectivity. With key ports expanding capacity and attracting private capital, India is positioning itself as a major global trade and logistics hub in the Indo-Pacific region.
