New Delhi, April 5: Major ports under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways have collectively managed 915.17 million tons of cargo during the fiscal year 2025-26, surpassing the annual target of 904 million tons. This information was released by the government on Sunday.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways reported that this figure represents a 7.06% increase compared to the previous year, indicating strong recovery, improved efficiency, and ongoing growth in the sector.
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, stated, “The record cargo management of over 915 million tons by our major ports is a testament to the government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening India’s maritime sector. Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, we are building world-class port infrastructure to accelerate India’s growing economy while enhancing efficiency and ensuring seamless logistics. This achievement further solidifies our resolve to establish India as a global maritime power under the ‘Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047’.”
The ministry’s statement highlighted continuous growth among major ports, with the Deendayal Port Authority emerging as the top performer at 160.11 metric tons, followed by the Paradip Port Authority at 156.45 metric tons and the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) at 102.01 metric tons.
Additionally, other significant ports, including Visakhapatnam Port Authority, Mumbai Port Authority, Chennai Port Authority, and New Mangalore Port Authority, also performed well, contributing significantly to overall cargo handling. In terms of growth rate, the Mormugao Port Authority recorded the highest increase at 15.91%, followed by the Kolkata Dock System at 14.28% and JNPA at 10.74%, reflecting improved efficiency and rising cargo volumes.
The ministry noted that this continuous growth in cargo management has been driven by several factors, including modernization of port infrastructure, increased capacity, robust multimodal connectivity, seamless hinterland linkages, adoption of digital and smart port initiatives, and a rise in the handling of key commodities such as coal, crude oil, containers, fertilizers, and POL. Additionally, improvements in ship turnaround times and trade facilitation at ports have played a crucial role. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways continues to pursue a comprehensive maritime strategy focused on port-based development, logistics integration, and sustainability.
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