12 Major ports handled record cargo of 855 million tonnes in 2024-25

The total cargo handled by the 12 Major ports in the country in 2024-25 was 855 million tonnes as compared to 819 million tonnes in 2023-24. It registered a growth rate of 4.3% in cargo handling as compared to 2023-24. For the first time Paradip Port and the Deendayal Port  handled more than 150 million tonnes of cargo .

Highlights of Major Ports Performance in 2024-25 

• The total cargo handled by the 12 Major Port Authorities in 2024-25 was 889 million tonnes, a growth of 4.3% as compared to last year.
• The highest growth rate was registered in container throughput (10%), followed by 13 % growth in fertiliser cargo handling and 3% growth in POL (Petroleum Oil and Lubricant) cargo handling.
• The growth in miscellaneous commodities was 31 %.
• For the first time Paradip Port Authority and Deendayal Port Authority handled cargo of more than 150-million-tonne in a fiscal year.

Major Commodities handled  

The three major commodities handled at the 12 major ports collectively are as follows:

Petroleum Oil and Lubricants (POL)

• 254.5 million tonnes of cargo handled.
• Contribution to the total volume of cargoes handled by all the ports - 29.8%

Container Traffic

• 193.5 million tonnes of cargo handled.
• Contribution to the total volume of cargoes handled by 12 major ports- 22.6%

Coal

• Total cargo handled 186.6 million tonnes.
• Contribution to the total volume of cargo handled by 12 major ports: 21.8%.

Financial Performance of Major Ports 

• The total income earned by 12 major ports was Rs 24,203 crore in 2024-25 as compared to Rs 22,468 crore in 2023-24.
• The operating surplus of the 12 major ports in 2024-25 was Rs 12,314 crore, compared to  Rs 11,512 crore in 2023-24.

Major Ports in India 

There are two types of ports in India owned by the government.

The ports owned by the government of India are called Major Ports, and those owned by the State government are known as medium or minor ports.

The major ports are under the Union Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

There are 12 Major Port Authorities in India that manage 12 major ports. 

The Port Blair Port in Andaman and Nicobar was initially given a Major Port status in 2010, but it was withdrawn in 2017.

The 13th Major port is under construction at Vadhvan in Maharashtra.

Following is the list of the 12 Major Ports in India.

Also Read:

Cabinet green signals a greenfield major port at Vadhavan, Maharashtra