According to provisional estimates of the Indian Ports Association (IPA), (Odisha)-based Paradip Port Authority (PPA), formerly Paradip Port Trust, retained the top spot in cargo handling among Indian major ports and has joined the exclusive 150 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) by handling a cargo of 150.41 MMT in Financial Year 2024-25 (FY25). This marks an increase of 3.5%, compared to 145.4 MMT in FY24.
- It is closely followed by Kandla (Gujarat)-based Deendayal Port saw an increase of over 13%, from 132.MMT (in FY24) to 150.15 MMT (in FY25) and Mumbai (Maharashtra)-based Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) saw a growth of 7.4% in cargo handled to 86 MMT.
- As per the data, the total coastal cargo handling of PPA, which accounts 42.36% of the total volume, has increased by 7.65% to reach 63.71 MMT.
- Also, the port witnessed an exponential growth of 111% in container cargo and flux volume (32%) Year-on-Year (Y-o-Y).
Key Findings:
i.As per official data, PPA has achieved highest-ever rail traffic, handling 22,818 rakes ( marking an increase of 5.32%) and 81.01 MMT in rail-borne cargo.
- Also, PPA handled export-import (EXIM) container traffic with 12,711 Twenty-foot equivalent Units (TEUs).
ii.The data showed that most of the 12 major Indian Ports recorded growth of 4.35% in cargo traffic for FY25 to 855 MMT compared to 819.30 MMT reported in FY24.
iii.Out of the 12 major Indian ports, only two :Mormugao Port Authority (MPA) in Goa and Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SPMP) in Kolkata, West Bengal(WB), witnessed a decline in cargo traffic during FY25.
iv.As per the official data, Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu, TN)-based V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority saw marginal traffic growth of 0.78%, to 41.72 MMT in FY25. Similarly, the Visakhapatnam Port reported a growth of 1.89% to reach 82.62 MMT in FY25.
v.The data revealed that the container handling capacity of JNPA has increased by 13.55%, to 7.301 million TEUs containers during FY25.
Adani’s Mundra Port becomes 1st Indian Port to handle 200 MMT Cargo in FY25
In April 2025, Kutch (Gujarat)-based Mundra Port, India’s biggest commercial port which is owned by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Limited (APSEZ), has become the 1st Indian port to handle over 200 MMT of cargo volume in FY25.
- Mundra Port has registered a growth of 11.5% in cargo handling, to 200.7 MMT (in FY25) over the 180 MMT (in FY24).
Key Points:
i.During March 2025, APSEZ handled its highest-ever cargo volume at 41.5 MMT, registering Y-o-Y growth of 9%. This growth was mainly driven by a 19% increase in container cargo and a 5% increase in liquid and gas shipments.
ii.Overall, APSEZ handled 450.2 MMT of cargo in FY25 compared to 420 MMT handled in FY24. This marks an increase of 7.19% in terms volume of cargo handled.
iii.Also, APSEZ-owned Vizhinjam Port based in Kerala reached a major milestone by handling over 100,000 TEUs.
About Indian Ports Association (IPA):
It is a statutory body constituted in 1966 under Societies Registrations Act. It aims to foster growth and development of all major ports which are under the supervisory control of Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW).
Chairman- Rajiv Jalota
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
