**Executive Summary**
In FY 2025–26, India’s Major Ports handled a record 915.17 million tonnes (MT) of cargo, surpassing the annual target of 904 MT with a 7.06% year-on-year growth rate. This achievement, reported on April 5, 2026, reflects the impact of infrastructure modernization and strategic reforms under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047. The Ministry continues to focus on port-led development and logistics integration to sustain this growth trajectory.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Performance and Growth Metrics**
* **Total Volume:** Major Ports collectively handled 915.17 MT of cargo, exceeding the set target of 904 MT.
* **Growth Rate:** The sector achieved a year-on-year growth of 7.06%.
* **Top Performers by Volume:** Deendayal Port Authority led with 160.11 MT, followed by Paradip Port Authority (156.45 MT) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) (102.01 MT).
* **Highest Growth Rates:** Mormugao Port Authority recorded the highest increase at 15.91%, followed by Kolkata Dock System (14.28%) and JNPA (10.74%).
**Operational Drivers**
* **Infrastructure Modernization:** Growth was driven by capacity augmentation and the adoption of digital and smart port initiatives.
* **Connectivity:** Improvements in multimodal connectivity and seamless hinterland linkages facilitated cargo movement.
* **Efficiency Gains:** Enhanced turnaround times and "ease of doing business" measures contributed to higher throughput.
* **Commodity Handling:** Increased volumes were noted in key commodities, including coal, crude oil, containers, fertilizers, and POL (Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants).
**Strategic Vision**
* **Vision 2047:** Performance is aligned with the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 to position India as a global maritime powerhouse.
* **Policy Effectiveness:** The results reflect growing trade confidence and the success of government reforms in the maritime sector.
**Impact Analysis**
**Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways**
**Impact:** Validates the success of transformative reforms and strategic investments in port infrastructure.
**Action Required:** Advance comprehensive maritime strategies focused on port-led development, logistics integration, and sustainability.
**Major Port Authorities**
**Impact:** Experience increased capacity utilization, operational efficiency, and record-breaking cargo throughput.
**Action Required:** Continue implementing smart port initiatives and infrastructure investments to maintain growth momentum and scale new milestones.
**Trade and Logistics Sector**
**Impact:** Benefits from improved turnaround times, enhanced efficiency, and strengthened multimodal connectivity.
**Action Required:** Leverage modernized port infrastructure and improved ease of doing business to support national economic growth and global trade leadership.
Key Entities Referenced
Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047: The strategic roadmap guiding the modernization of India's port infrastructure and logistics to position the country as a global maritime powerhouse.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways: The primary government ministry responsible for overseeing the performance and strategic development of India's maritime sector and its Major Ports.
Major Ports: The collective group of primary government-controlled ports in India that surpassed annual cargo targets, handling 915.17 million tonnes in FY 2025–26.
Shri Sarbananda Sonowal: Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways who directs the implementation of transformative reforms and port-led development strategies.
Deendayal Port Authority: The top-performing Indian port authority in FY 2025–26, leading in cargo volume with 160.11 million tonnes handled.
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Major Ports Record 915 Million Tonnes Cargo in
FY 2025–26, Surpass Target with 7.06% Growth
Strong Year-on-Year Growth Reflects Efficiency Gains and
Capacity Expansion
Ports Drive India’s Trade Momentum under Maritime Amrit
Kaal Vision 2047
Posted On: 05 APR 2026 2:27PM by PIB Delhi
New Delhi, 05 April 2026: In a significant achievement for India’s maritime sector, the Major Ports under
the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways have collectively handled 915.17 million tonnes (MT) of
cargo during FY 2025–26, surpassing the annual target of 904 MT. This marks a year-on-year growth of
7.06%, reaffirming the sector’s strong recovery, enhanced efficiency, and sustained growth trajectory. This
milestone underscores the impact of transformative reforms and strategic investments undertaken by the
Government of India to modernize port infrastructure, enhance logistics efficiency, and strengthen India’s
position as a leading maritime nation under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.
Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri 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. Guided by the vision of Hon’ble Prime Minister
Shri Narendra Modi ji, we are building world-class port infrastructure, improving efficiency, and enabling
seamless logistics to support India’s growing economy. This achievement reinforces our resolve to
position India as a global maritime powerhouse under the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047.”
The performance reflects consistent growth across major ports, with Deendayal Port Authority emerging
as the top performer at 160.11 MT, followed by Paradip Port Authority at 156.45 MT, and Jawaharlal
Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) at 102.01 MT. Other key ports including Visakhapatnam Port Authority,
Mumbai Port Authority, Chennai Port Authority, and New Mangalore Port Authority also registered strong
performance, contributing significantly to the overall cargo throughput. In terms of growth rate,
Mormugao Port Authority recorded the highest increase at 15.91%, followed by Kolkata Dock System at
14.28% and JNPA at 10.74%, reflecting improved efficiency and rising cargo volumes.
The sustained growth in cargo handling has been driven by capacity augmentation and modernization of
port infrastructure, strengthened multimodal connectivity and seamless hinterland linkages, adoption of
digital and smart port initiatives, increased handling of key commodities including coal, crude oil,
containers, fertilizers, and POL, as well as improved turnaround time and ease of doing business across
ports. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways continues to advance a comprehensive maritime
strategy focused on port-led development, logistics integration, and sustainability.The record performance in FY 2025–26 reflects growing trade confidence and the effectiveness of policy
measures aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and capacity utilization. With sustained policy
momentum and infrastructure investments, India’s Major Ports are well-positioned to further scale new
milestones and contribute significantly to the nation’s economic growth and global trade leadership.
***
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