Cargo handling at major Indian ports rises 4.3% to 855 million tonnes in FY25

NEW DELHI: India's major ports saw a 4.3 per cent increase in cargo handling, reaching 855 million tonnes in Fiscal Year 2024-25.

The growth was led by higher volumes in container traffic (up 10%), fertilisers (13%), petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) (3%), and miscellaneous commodities (31%), as compared to the previous fiscal year. The Government of India operates 12 major ports under the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021.

These ports include Deendayal Port, Mumbai Port, Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Mormugao Port, New Mangalore Port, Cochin Port, VO Chidambaranar Port, Chennai Port, Kamarajar Port, Visakhapatnam Port, Paradip Port and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port.

In FY 2024-25, the primary commodities handled were Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) at 254.5 million tonnes (29.8 per cent), container traffic at 193.5 million tonnes (22.6 per cent), coal at 186.6 million tonnes (21.8 per cent), alongside other cargo types including iron ore, pellets, and fertilisers.

Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) achieved a significant milestone by exceeding 150 Million Tonne (MT) cargo handling. Additionally, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) achieved a record 7.3 million TEUs, showing 13.5 per cent annual growth.

The ports allocated 962 acres for industrial development in FY 2024-25, with projected earnings of Rs 7,565 crore. Lessees are anticipated to invest Rs 68,780 crore on the allocated land.

Private sector involvement has significantly increased, with PPP project investments at major ports rising from Rs 1,329 crore in FY 2022-23 to Rs 3,986 crore in FY 2024-25, demonstrating robust investor interest.