Maersk Line to commence shipping between China and Bangladesh

‍

In a landmark achievement, India’s government-owned major ports have reported unprecedented growth in cargo handling, operational efficiency, and infrastructure development during the fiscal year 2024-25.

Collectively, these ports managed 855 million tonnes of cargo, marking a 4.3 per cent increase from the previous year’s 819 million tonnes. This surge underscores the resilience and capacity of India’s maritime infrastructure to accommodate rising trade volumes.

Key drivers of growth

The impressive growth in cargo handling was propelled by significant increases in various sectors: container throughput rose by 10 per cent, fertilizer cargo handling increased by 13 per cent, petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) saw a 3 per cent uptick, and miscellaneous commodities experienced a remarkable 31 per cent growth compared to the previous fiscal year.

Port-specific milestones

For the first time in history, both the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) surpassed the 150 million tonnes cargo handling mark, reinforcing their status as pivotal hubs in India’s maritime trade. Additionally, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) set a new record by handling 7.3 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), reflecting a 13.5 per cent year-on-year growth.

Infrastructure and investment

The fiscal year also witnessed significant strides in port-led industrialization. A total of 962 acres of land were allocated for industrial activities, projected to generate an income of ₹7,565 crore. Future investments on this land are expected to reach ₹68,780 crore, indicating robust investor confidence in the sector. Private sector participation has been instrumental, with investments in public-private partnership (PPP) projects at major ports tripling from ₹1,329 crore in FY 2022-23 to ₹3,986 crore in FY 2024-25.

Operational efficiency enhancements

Operational performance metrics have shown significant improvement. Pre-Berthing Detention (PBD) Time on port account improved by approximately 36 per cent compared to the previous fiscal year. Financially, major ports witnessed an 8 per cent increase in total income, rising to ₹24,203 crore from ₹22,468 crore, while operating surplus grew by 7 per cent to ₹12,314 crore.

Decade-long progress

Over the past decade, from FY 2014-15 to FY 2024-25, cargo volumes at major ports surged from 581 million tonnes to approximately 855 million tonnes, reflecting a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of around 4 per cent. Containerised cargo saw a remarkable 70 per cent increase, from 7.9 million TEUs to 13.5 million TEUs. Productivity indicators also improved significantly: Output per Ship Berth Day (OSBD) rose from 12,458 tonnes to 18,304 tonnes, Average Turnaround Time (TRT) reduced by 48 per cent from 96 hours to 49.5 hours, and Idle Time percentage dropped by approximately 29 per cent from 23.1 per cent to 16.3 per cent.

Future outlook

India’s major ports are now poised to elevate their competitiveness further, supported by continuous investments in mechanization, process reengineering, port community systems, and multi-modal logistics integration. These initiatives have resulted in higher cargo volumes, reduced vessel wait times, optimised capacity utilization, and increased investor confidence. As India expands its global trade footprint and modernizes logistics infrastructure, FY 2024-25 stands as a testament to the strategic vision and collaborative efforts of public authorities and private stakeholders. The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways remains dedicated to sustaining this momentum and developing globally competitive, digitally enabled, and environmentally sustainable ports that will drive India’s trade and economic ambitions into the future.

‍

‍