India’s Major Ports record historic high in cargo handling, reaching 855 million tonnes in FY25

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, MAY 13, 2025  

In a landmark achievement for the nation’s maritime sector, India’s major ports registered a record cargo throughput of 855 million tonnes in the financial year 2024-25 (FY25), marking a 4.3 per cent year-on-year increase over the 819 million tonnes handled in FY 2023-24, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways announced on Tuesday.

This historic milestone underscores the resilience and efficiency of India’s port infrastructure and is a testament to ongoing modernization efforts, increased private sector engagement, and sustained policy support from the government.

The surge in cargo traffic was driven by a broad-based increase across key commodities. Container throughput saw a 10 per cent rise, fertiliser cargo handling increased by 13 per cent, POL (petroleum, oil and lubricants) volumes grew by 3 per cent, and miscellaneous cargo handling witnessed a remarkable jump of 31 per cent compared to the previous fiscal year. Among all commodities handled, POL remained the largest contributor with 254.5 million tonnes, accounting for 29.8 per cent of total cargo. This was followed by container traffic at 193.5 million tonnes (22.6 per cent), coal at 186.6 million tonnes (21.8 per cent), and other commodities such as iron ore, fertilisers, and pellets making up the rest.

In a first for India’s maritime sector, the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) each crossed the 150-million-tonne milestone in cargo handling, marking them as pivotal hubs for maritime trade and operational excellence. Additionally, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) set a new record by handling 7.3 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), reflecting a robust 13.5 per cent year-on-year increase in container traffic.

India’s drive toward port-led industrialisation also gained traction, with 962 acres of port land allotted during FY25. These allocations are projected to generate revenue of Rs 7,565 crore and are expected to catalyse future investments worth Rs 68,780 crore, reinforcing investor confidence in India’s maritime and industrial growth.

Private sector participation has played a significant role in the transformation of port infrastructure. Investments in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects at major ports saw a threefold increase, jumping from Rs 1,329 crore in FY 2022-23 to Rs 3,986 crore in FY 2024-25, signalling growing investor interest and confidence in the sector.

Operational performance also improved markedly. Pre-Berthing Detention (PBD) Time, which is a key indicator of efficiency, was reduced by 36 per cent compared to the previous year. On the financial front, major ports reported a total income of Rs 24,203 crore in FY25, up 8 per cent from Rs 22,468 crore in FY24. The operating surplus also witnessed a healthy 7 per cent increase, reaching Rs 12,314 crore in FY25 from Rs 11,512 crore the year before.

Reflecting on a decade of progress, cargo volumes at major ports have grown from 581 million tonnes in FY 2014-15 to 855 million tonnes in FY 2024-25, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4 per cent. Simultaneously, total income of major ports has more than doubled, rising from Rs 11,760 crore to Rs 24,203 crore over the same period, registering a CAGR of 7.5 per cent.

Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, lauded the efforts behind this achievement, stating, “The ministry has worked tirelessly to modernize port infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, and foster private sector participation, paving the way for unprecedented growth in India’s maritime sector.” He added, “From record-breaking cargo handling to significant improvements in operational parameters and financial performance, the achievements of FY 2024-25 reflect the resilience and readiness of our ports to support India’s growing trade ambitions.”