India’s Major Ports Set New Records in FY25 with 855 MT Cargo Handled

India’s Major Ports have achieved a landmark year in FY 2024-25, showcasing significant growth in cargo handling, operational efficiency, and financial performance. This achievement reflects the sustained policy push, infrastructure modernisation, and rising private sector participation that have reshaped the maritime sector over the past decade.

Robust Growth in Cargo Volumes and Composition

In FY 2024-25, Major Ports collectively handled approximately 855 million tonnes of cargo, registering a 4.3% year-on-year growth compared to 819 million tonnes in FY 2023-24. This increase was driven by a 10% rise in container throughput, 13% growth in fertiliser cargo, 3% increase in POL (Petroleum, Oil & Lubricants) cargo, and a significant 31% jump in miscellaneous commodities.

POL continued to dominate cargo composition with a volume of 254.5 million tonnes, accounting for nearly 30% of total traffic. Container traffic followed at 193.5 million tonnes (22.6%), with coal and other conventional cargoes like iron ore, fertilisers, and pellets contributing significantly.

Operational Landmarks and Port-Wise Milestones

FY 2024-25 marked a first for Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA), both of which crossed the 150-million-tonne cargo milestone. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) also set a new benchmark by handling 7.3 million TEUs—a 13.5% increase from the previous fiscal year.

Operationally, Major Ports improved their Pre-Berthing Detention (PBD) Time by ~36% from the previous year, contributing to reduced vessel wait times and enhanced port turnaround.

Port-Led Industrialisation and Investment Momentum

Ports allocated 962 acres of land in FY 2024-25 for port-led industrialisation, which is expected to generate ₹7,565 crore in revenue during the year. Additionally, lessees are projected to invest ₹68,780 crore in long-term port-related developments. Private sector participation remained strong, with Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investments tripling from ₹1,329 crore in FY 2022-23 to ₹3,986 crore in FY 2024-25.

Financial Performance Reflects Fundamentals

Major Ports witnessed an 8% increase in total income, reaching ₹24,203 crore in FY 2024-25 from ₹22,468 crore the previous year. Operating surplus rose 7% year-on-year to ₹12,314 crore. Over the last decade, the ports' total income has more than doubled, while operating surplus has nearly tripled, thanks to improved efficiency and better resource utilisation.

Decade of Progress: FY 2014-15 to FY 2024-25

Between FY 2014-15 and FY 2024-25, cargo volumes rose from 581 million tonnes to ~855 million tonnes—a 4% CAGR. Containerized cargo grew 70% from 7.9 million TEUs to 13.5 million TEUs. Productivity indicators also saw notable improvements:

• OSBD: Increased from 12,458 to 18,304 tonnes
• Turnaround Time: Improved from 96 to 49.5 hours
• PBD Time: Reduced from 5.02 to 3.8 hours
• Idle Time: Dropped from 23.1% to 16.3%

Also Read:Garden Reach Shipbuilders Q4 FY25 Results!

Conclusion

FY 2024-25 marks a turning point for India’s Major Ports, driven by sustained reforms, private investments, and a future-forward vision. The Ministry’s initiatives in digitalisation, process reengineering, and multi-modal integration are preparing Indian ports for the next phase of global trade expansion. As India’s maritime sector scales new heights, its ports are firmly positioned as engines of economic growth and global connectivity.

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