India’s cargo handling up 4.3% FY 2024 to 2025
Increased traffic was driven by higher container throughput, amongst others.
India has reported a 4.3% increase in its cargo handling across major ports, reaching 855 million tonnes in fiscal year (FY) 2024 to 2025.
In a statement, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways “this growth highlights the resilience and capacity of Major Ports in accommodating rising trade volumes.”
The increase in traffic was driven by higher container throughput (10%), fertiliser cargo handling (13%), Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL) cargo handling (3%), and handling of miscellaneous commodities (31%).
Amongst commodities handled at Major Ports, POL—including crude, petroleum products, and LPG/LNG—led the charts with a volume of 254.5 million tonnes (29.8%), followed by container traffic at 193.5 million tonnes (22.6%), and coal at 186.6 million tonnes (21.8%).
The Paradip Port Authority and Deendayal Port Authority surpassed the 150-million-tonne cargo handling mark for the first time. Meanwhile, Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority set a record by handling 7.3 million twenty-foot equivalent unit, reflecting a 13.5% growth.
Operational performance continued to improve, with Pre-Berthing Detention Time (on port account) improving by 36% from the previous year. Financially, Major Ports witnessed an 8% increase in total income in FY 2024 to 2025, rising to INR 24,203 crore. Operating surplus also grew 7% to INR 12,314 crore.
