Major Ports in India Beat Cargo Targets, Post Steady Growth in FY26
New Delhi: India’s major ports have outperformed expectations in the financial year 2025–26, reflecting strong growth in cargo movement and improved operational efficiency.
Data released by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways shows that the country’s 12 major ports handled a total of 915.17 million tonnes of cargo during the year—surpassing the target of 904 million tonnes. This marks a growth of 7.06% compared to 2024–25, signaling a positive trend in maritime trade.
Deendayal Port led the chart with the highest cargo handling of 160.11 million tonnes. Paradip Port followed closely with 156.45 million tonnes, while Jawaharlal Nehru Port handled 102.01 million tonnes, maintaining its position as a key hub for container traffic.
Among other major ports, Visakhapatnam handled 91.16 million tonnes and Kolkata recorded 70.87 million tonnes. Ports such as Chennai, Kamarajar (Ennore), New Mangalore, Cochin, V.O. Chidambaranar, and Mormugao also contributed significantly to the overall cargo volume.
In terms of growth, Mormugao Port emerged as the fastest-growing, registering an impressive 15.91% increase in cargo handling. Kolkata Dock System followed with 14.28% growth, while Jawaharlal Nehru Port recorded a rise of 10.74%. Paradip Port also posted a steady growth of 4.02%.
The strong performance highlights the increasing capacity and efficiency of India’s port sector. With continued focus on infrastructure upgrades and streamlined logistics, the country’s ports are set to play an even bigger role in driving trade and economic growth.
