CARGO VOLUME HANDLED BY INDIAN PORTS

[YAGAY andSUN]

The cargo volume handled by Indian ports includes both major and minor ports, reflecting the country’s significant role in global shipping and trade. India has a total of over 200 ports, with 12 of them being classified as major ports under the jurisdiction of the central government, and the rest being minor or intermediate ports under state control.

Major Ports

The major ports, which are more industrialized and handle larger volumes of traffic, include:

1. Mumbai Port
2. Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva)
3. Chennai Port
4. Kolkata Port (including Haldia)
5. Visakhapatnam Port
6. Mangalore Port
7. Kochi Port
8. Tuticorin Port
9. Paradip Port
10. Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT)
11. New Mangalore Port
12. Sikka Port

These ports handle a significant portion of India's total cargo, including bulk goods, containers, and petroleum products.

Cargo Handled by Ports

The total cargo handled by Indian ports has seen considerable growth in recent years. According to the latest data available (as of 2023-2024):

• Indian ports handle more than 1,000 million tonnes (MT) of cargo annually.
• The bulk of cargo includes coal, containerized goods, liquid cargo (like crude oil), and dry cargo (such as iron ore).

Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) is India’s busiest container port, while Mumbai Port and Chennai Port are also among the key players for both cargo volume and strategic trade locations.

Minor Ports (Non-Major Ports)

In addition to the major ports, India has a large number of minor or intermediate ports, most of which are concentrated along the western and eastern coasts. These ports handle a smaller volume of cargo, but they are vital for regional trade and act as hubs for local industries. India has numerous non-major (also called minor or intermediate) ports that play a crucial role in the country’s maritime trade. While they are smaller compared to the major ports, non-major ports handle a significant portion of India’s cargo, particularly regional trade, and specialized goods.

There are over 200 non-major ports in India, and they are mainly managed by the state governments. These ports are vital for both handling cargo and supporting local industries, such as fishing, shipbuilding, and regional logistics.

Here's a breakdown of notable non-major ports in India:

Western Coast Non-Major Ports

1. Kandla Port (Gujarat) - Though it was once considered a major port, it now serves as a hub for bulk cargo, including oil and chemical products.
2. Alang Port (Gujarat) - Famous for ship-breaking activities and a significant player in scrap metal handling.
3. Surat Port (Gujarat) - A key port for bulk and containerized cargo, especially related to textiles and chemicals.
4. Diu Port (Daman and Diu) - Serves the region with a focus on general cargo, including automobiles and consumer goods.
5. Mundra Port (Gujarat) - Although it is growing and gaining prominence, it is still not a major port by Indian standards. It handles bulk cargo, including coal and crude oil.
6. Veraval Port (Gujarat) - Primarily a fishing port but also handles general cargo and some agricultural exports.
7. Dahej Port (Gujarat) - Known for liquid cargo, chemicals, and petrochemical products.
8. Goa Ports (Goa) - Includes Mormugao Port, which is important for iron ore exports, and other minor ports supporting passenger and cargo traffic.

Southern Coast Non-Major Ports

1. Kochi Port (Kerala) - While it is technically a major port, it includes smaller ports and has substantial handling of bulk cargo, containers, and petroleum products.
2. Kollam Port (Kerala) - A small cargo handling port dealing with chemicals, timber, and other products.
3. Mangalore Port (Karnataka) - Though Mangalore is a major port, the nearby Malpe Port and Karwar Port are non-major ports, handling regional cargo such as agricultural exports.
4. Chavakkad Port (Kerala) - A small port serving regional cargo, mostly fisheries and agriculture.
5. Tuticorin Port (Tamil Nadu) - While it is classified as a major port, several smaller ports in Tamil Nadu, such as Puducherry Port and Cuddalore Port, contribute significantly to the region’s cargo handling.

Eastern Coast Non-Major Ports

1. Haldia Port (West Bengal) - While Haldia is linked to Kolkata Port, it functions as a minor port that handles a variety of cargo, including coal, petroleum products, and containers.
2. Paradeep Port (Odisha) - While it is one of the major ports of India, several smaller Odisha ports like Dhamra Port play a role in coal and iron ore exports.
3. Visakhapatnam Port (Andhra Pradesh) - As a major port, Visakhapatnam oversees regional minor ports like Gangavaram Port and Kakinada Port, dealing with liquid and dry bulk cargo.
4. Chilika Lake Ports (Odisha) - These serve fishing, marine products, and small bulk cargo.

Key Characteristics of Non-Major Ports

• Specialized Cargo Handling: Many non-major ports focus on niche sectors such as fisheries, shipbuilding, oil, and agricultural exports.
• Geographical Importance: These ports often serve regional markets and provide crucial connectivity to areas that might not have access to major ports.
• Growing Significance: As trade and industrial activity expand in India, many of these non-major ports are becoming more vital for the economy. They help decongest major ports and facilitate more specialized trade.

Future Growth of Non-Major Ports

India’s Sagarmala Project (a national port development initiative) aims to modernize and promote the potential of minor ports. The aim is to increase cargo handling capacity, improve infrastructure, and connect these ports to global shipping routes, enhancing their overall contribution to India's economy.

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Posted On: 05 FEB 2025 1:38PM by PIB Delhi

(Release ID: 2099964)

The cargo volumes handled by Indian Ports in FY 2024 and trend over the last three years is as under:   

Year	Cargo handled by Major Ports (Million Tonnes)	Cargo handled by Non- Major Ports (Million Tonnes)	Total (Million Tonnes)
2020-21	672.68	575.04	1247.72
2021-22	720.05	598.63	1318.68
2022-23	784.31	650.00	1434.31
2023-24	819.23	721.00	1540.23

The Government has taken various steps to streamline logistics for export-oriented industries such as the construction of new berths, terminals and parking plazas, mechanization / modernisation / optimisation of existing berths and terminals, streamlining of processes through digitalisation, expansion of hinterland connectivity through rail and road, etc.

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TRENDS IN CARGO WEIGHT AND SIZE

Posted On: 05 FEB 2025 1:37PM by PIB Delhi (Release ID: 2099963) 

The cargo handled at Major Ports has increased from 581.34 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 819.23 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, a CAGR of 3.5 % which is comparable to global standards. During 2023-24, the cargo handled consisted of 33.80% liquid bulk, 44.04% dry bulk, and 22.16% container cargo. Infrastructure development and capacity augmentation of Major Ports is a continuous process. It involves the construction of new berths and terminals, mechanization of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for deepening of drafts for attracting larger vessels, development of road and rail connectivity, etc. Further, Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra has been approved to be developed as the mega container port in the country catering the requirement of handling new generation mega size container vessels.

Based on consultation with Major Ports, State Maritime Boards, Ministry of Railway and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, 107 road and rail connectivity infrastructure gaps for major and non-major ports have been identified and included in the Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan (CPCP) prepared by Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) in September 2022. These projects aim to enhance connectivity between ports and domestic production / consumption centres.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarabananda Sonowal in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.