India’s major ports have marked a landmark year in FY25, recording significant progress in cargo handling, operational performance, and infrastructure development.

Cargo throughput at major ports rose by 4.3 percent year-on-year, climbing from 819 million tonne in FY2023-24 to approx. 855 million tonne in FY 2024-25. This sustained growth underscores the resilience and rising capacity of the ports to handle increasing trade volumes. The traffic surge was primarily fuelled by a 10 percent rise in container throughput, a 13 percent increase in fertilizer cargo, three percent growth in petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) cargo, and a notable 31 percent rise in miscellaneous commodities.

POL cargo led in volume with 254.5 million tonne (29.8 percent share), followed by container traffic at 193.5 million tonne (22.6 percent), and coal at 186.6 million tonne (21.8 percent ).

FY25 was especially historic for Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), both of which surpassed the 150-million-tonne cargo mark for the first time. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) also set a new benchmark, handling 7.3 million TEUs - a 13.5 percent increase over the previous financial year. In line with India’s focus on port-led industrialisation, 962 acres of land were allotted for related development in FY 2024-25. Future investments from lessees on this land are projected at Rs 68,780 crore. Private participation in major ports surged, with investments under the public-private partnership (PPP) model tripling from Rs 1,329 crore in FY 2022-23 to Rs 3,986 crore in FY25.