India’s major ports achieved a historic milestone in FY26, handling 915.17 million tonnes of cargo, exceeding the annual target of 904 million tonnes and registering a year-on-year growth of over 7%. The performance highlights the sector’s robust recovery, increased operational efficiency, and the positive impact of policy reforms and infrastructure development. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways attributed this success to capacity expansion, improved logistics connectivity, and overall modernisation of port operations, reflecting India’s growing significance in global maritime trade.
Among the top-performing ports, Deendayal Port Authority led with 160.11 million tonnes of cargo, closely followed by Paradip Port Authority at 156.45 million tonnes and Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority at 102.01 million tonnes. Other major contributors included Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, Chennai, and New Mangalore, all playing a key role in the cumulative record.
In terms of growth rates, Mormugao Port Authority achieved the highest increase at 15.91%, with Kolkata Dock System and JNPA recording 14.28% and 10.74% growth, respectively. The government noted that continuous investments in modernisation, efficiency improvements, and streamlined logistics systems were instrumental in achieving these results.
The record cargo handling underscores India’s ambition to strengthen its position as a leading maritime nation while enhancing trade competitiveness on the global stage. By prioritising infrastructure upgrades and operational excellence, India’s port sector is set to maintain sustained growth and support broader economic development goals.
