Major Ports handled 855 MT cargo in FY25, set investment, efficiency & revenue records to boost global competitiveness
India’s Major Ports have delivered their strongest performance yet in FY 2024-25, achieving record-breaking cargo throughput, improved efficiency, and heightened private sector investment, marking a major leap toward global competitiveness.
Cargo volumes soared to ~855 million tonnes, up 4.3% from 819 million tonnes in FY 2023-24. The surge was driven by higher container throughput (+10%), fertilizer cargo (+13%), POL cargo (+3%), and miscellaneous cargo (+31%). Key commodities included:
- POL: 254.5 MT (29.8%)
- Containers: 193.5 MT (22.6%)
- Coal: 186.6 MT (21.8%)
Paradip and Deendayal Port Authorities crossed 150 MT cargo milestones for the first time, while JNPA handled a record 7.3 million TEUs, registering 13.5% YoY growth.
As part of its port-led industrialisation strategy, the ministry allocated 962 acres of port land worth ₹7,565 crore, with expected investments of ₹68,780 crore, signalling strong investor confidence. PPP investments tripled, from ₹1,329 crore in FY 2022-23 to ₹3,986 crore in FY 2024-25.
Operational efficiency surged, with:
- Pre-Berthing Detention down 36% YoY
- Output per Ship Berth Day reaching 18,304 tonnes
- Turnaround Time cut to 49.5 hours
- Idle time dropped to 16.3%
Financial performance also soared, with:
- Total income at ₹24,203 crore (+8% YoY)
- Operating surplus at ₹12,314 crore (+7% YoY)
- Operating ratio improving from 64.7% (FY15) to 42.3%
Over the decade (FY15–FY25), cargo volumes rose from 581 MT to 855 MT, container traffic jumped 70%, and operating surplus nearly tripled. The ministry’s focus on mechanisation, digitalisation, and multimodal integration has transformed India’s ports into globally competitive trade enablers.
Hon’ble Minister Shri Sarbananda Sonowal praised the decade of progress, attributing success to the vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the dedication of all stakeholders. “India’s ports are now powering economic growth and are ready to meet the demands of global trade,” he affirmed.
FY 2024-25 stands as a defining chapter in India’s maritime journey—resilient, efficient, and investment-ready.
Source: PIB
