India’s 12 major ports have achieved a historic milestone by handling a record 855 million tonnes (MT) of cargo in the financial year 2024–25, reflecting a 4.3% year-on-year growth from the 819 MT managed in FY24. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, highlighting continued improvements in port operations and infrastructure.
The largest contributor to the cargo volume was Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL), which accounted for 254.5 MT or nearly 30% of total cargo handled. Container cargo followed with 193.5 MT (22.6%), while coal shipments stood at 186.6 MT (21.8%).
For the first time, Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) each handled over 150 million tonnes of cargo. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), India’s premier container port, also set a new record by handling 7.3 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units), marking a 13.5% increase in container traffic compared to the previous year.
The total income of India’s major ports rose to ₹24,203 crore in FY25, up from ₹22,468 crore in FY24. Operating surplus reached ₹12,314 crore, indicating a 7% increase. Operational efficiency also saw notable gains — the average turnaround time for vessels improved by 48%, dropping from 96 hours in FY15 to just 49.5 hours in FY25. Productivity at berths improved as well, with output per ship berth day rising from 12,458 tonnes to 18,304 tonnes.
