India’s maritime legacy is as vast and dynamic as its 7,500-kilometer coastline, which anchors 12 major ports and over 200 minor ones. Positioned along the world’s busiest shipping routes, India is not just a key trading hub but a rising global power. In 2023, the nation contributed 16% of global growth and is on course to become the third-largest economy by 2026. As India ascends the global stage, its maritime sector emerges as a linchpin for commerce, connectivity, and international cooperation.
From April-January 2024, all key ports in India handled 677.22 million tonnes (MT) of cargo traffic. India’s key ports had a capacity of 1,617 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in FY23. Merchandise exports reached Rs. 27,97,590 crore (US$ 321.71 billion) in FY25 (Until December 2024).
Non-major ports accounted for 45% of the total cargo traffic at Indian ports in FY23, due to a significant shift of traffic from the major ports to the non-major ports.
The Government of India has allowed Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of up to 100% under the automatic route for projects related to the construction and maintenance of ports and harbours. The cumulative FDI equity inflow in the Port industry is Rs. 14,237.96 crore (US$ 1,637.30 million) during the period April 2000 to September 2024. A 10-year tax holiday is extended to enterprises engaged in the business of developing, maintaining, and operating ports, inland waterways, and inland ports. The Government has also initiated the National Maritime Development Programme (NMDP), an initiative to develop the maritime sector with a planned outlay of Rs. 1,02,613 crore (US$ 11.8 billion). In Union Budget 2023-24, the total allocation for the Ministry of Shipping was Rs. 2,218.74 crore (US$ 1,813.16 million). In the interim budget 2024-25, Rs. 700 core (US$ 84.42 million) has been allocated for the Sagarmala programme.
There are 46 Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects at an estimated value of Rs. 39,045 crore (US$ 4.49 billion) at major ports.
The Union Budget 2025 extends the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP) 2.0 with a Rs. 18,090 crore (US$ 2.08 billion) outlay, offering subsidies to Indian shipyards to offset costs and boost domestic shipbuilding.
From April-October 2024, all key ports in India handled 482 million tonnes (MT) of cargo traffic.
India’s 12 major ports handled 72.2 million tonnes of cargo in December, growing 3.22%. In FY25 so far, total cargo reached 620 million tonnes, reflecting a 2.7% YoY increase.
In October 2024, Union Cabinet approved the development of the National Maritime Heritage Complex (NMHC) at Lothal, Gujarat, showcasing India’s 4,500-year-old maritime heritage. This project is expected to enhance employment, tourism, and cultural preservation with phased development supported by public-private partnerships with a completion goal of 2025 for its first phase.
On 19 June 2024, the Government of India approved the establishment of a Major Port at Vadhavan, Maharashtra, with an estimated cost of Rs. 76,220 crore (US$ 9.14 billion), aiming to enhance EXIM trade capacity and accommodate mega vessels, while facilitating public-private partnerships for infrastructure development.
On February 2023, sanctioned projects under PPP include upgrading JNPA Hospital to a 100-bed multi-specialty hospital Rs. 59.13 crore (US$ 6.8 million), developing Berth No.13 at Deendayal Port for handling clean cargo Rs. 206.96 crore (US$ 23.8 million), and mechanizing NCB-III at V.O. Chidambarnar Port for dry bulk cargo Rs. 328.71 crore (US$ 37.8 million).
Additionally, operations and maintenance of Berth Nos. 10 & 11 at Mormugao Port, Goa Rs. 1,73,050 crore (US$19.9 million), and the development of Mumbai Marina at Prince's Dock of Mumbai Port Authority Rs. 714.81 crore ((US$ 82.2 million) were approved under PPP arrangements in February 2023.
Minister for Finance, and Corporate Affairs Ms. Nirmala Sitaraman, proposed to double the ship recycling capacity of ~4.5 million light displacement tonnes (LDT) by 2024; this is expected to generate an additional ~1.5 lakh employment opportunities in India.
Adani Group plans Rs. 26,088 crore (US$ 3 billion) investment over three to five years to expand global ports capacity, targeting strategic acquisitions in Europe, Africa, and Southeast Asia to increase revenue from overseas ports to 20-25% and support the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.
India plans to establish a new shipping company to expand its fleet by at least 1,000 ships in the next decade, aiming to reduce freight costs and capture more revenue from increasing trade, with joint ownership by state-run oil, gas, and fertilizer companies, along with the state-run Shipping Corporation of India and foreign companies, targeting a reduction of at least one-third in foreign freight outgoings by 2047.
The Conference on Maritime Decarbonization in India, held in October 2024, reinforced the nation’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070, showcasing initiatives like Harit Sagar and Harit Nauka guidelines for green ports and cleaner shipping.
As per studies conducted under the Sagarmala Programme, cargo traffic at ports is expected to be ~2,500 MMTPA by 2025, while the current cargo handling capacity of ports is only 2,406 MMTPA. A roadmap has been prepared for increasing the Indian port capacity to 3,300+ MMTPA by 2025 to cater to the growing traffic. This includes port operational efficiency improvement, capacity expansion of existing ports and new port development. There are 206 port modernization projects worth Rs. 78,611 crore (US$ 10.71 billion). Of which, 81 projects worth Rs. 24,113 crore (US$ 3.29 billion) have been completed and 59 projects worth Rs. 24,288 crore (US$ 3.31 billion) are being implemented
Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. has secured a five-year operation and maintenance contract at Kolkata Port, which will help the company enhance synergies with its transshipment hubs in Colombo and Vizhinjam.
Under the Sagarmala Programme, 45 projects totaling Rs. 47,166 crore (US$ 5.69 billion) have been earmarked for execution at Non-Major Ports. Of these, 4 projects worth Rs. 5,419 crore (US$ 0.65 billion) have been finalized, while 17 projects valued at Rs. 27,673 crore (US$ 3.34 billion) are presently underway. Thirty-one out of the 45 projects are being carried out through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode, with a collective investment of Rs. 45,973 crore (US$ 5.54 billion).
On 29 July 2024, Secretary Mr. T.K. Ramachandran reviewed the functioning of the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) and inaugurated key projects worth over Rs. 13 crore (US$ 1.56 million), including a Trauma and Burn Care Centre and a Water Treatment Plant with a capacity to filter 16 million litres of water per day, enhancing the port's infrastructure and services.
India’s 12 major ports handled 819.227 million tonnes of cargo in FY24, a 4.45% increase from 784.305 million tonnes in FY23, driven by strong growth in iron ore, raw fertilizer, coking coal, and container shipments, with Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority handling over half of the total container volumes.
During the fiscal year April 2023 to March 2024, cargo throughput at Non-Major Ports registered a notable increase of 11.18% compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, reaching a total of 721.05 million tonnes (MMT) from 648.54 MMT handled during April 2022 to March 2023.
On July 26, 2024, the Government of India announced 29 new proposals from Andhra Pradesh and Visakhapatnam Port Trust under the Sagarmala project, totaling approximately Rs. 3,300 crores (US$ 395 million). These initiatives include port development and fish landing centers.
During December 2024, cargo handled at Non-Major Ports stood at 62.10 million tonnes.
The overseas cargo handled at Non-Major Ports during December 2024 increased by 9.40% to 51.49 million tonnes from 47.07 million tonnes during December 2023.
Cargo traffic at 12 major Indian ports increased by 3.22% in December, reaching 72.15 million tonnes (MT). Deendayal Port Authority and Paradip Port Authority were the top performers handling 13.03 MT and 12.84 MT of cargo, respectively.
APSEZ (Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone) plans to become the world's largest private port company by 2030 and carbon neutral by 2025.
In July 2024, Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal approved a Rs. 284.19 crore (US$ 34 million) project by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) to establish a comprehensive agricultural commodity processing and storage facility aiming to streamline logistics, reduce handling stages, and extend the shelf life of agricultural products. The projected export capacity includes a frozen store of 1,800 metric tonnes, a cold store of 5,800 metric tonnes, and dry warehouses for 12,000 metric tonnes of grains, cereals, and dry cargo.
On July 26, 2024, the Government of India announced an update to the Shipbuilding Financial Assistance Policy (SBFAP), which has provided financial aid totaling Rs. 337 crores (US$ 40.40 million) to enhance India’s competitiveness against foreign shipyards and revitalize the shipbuilding industry. Since the policy's inception, 313 vessel orders valued at approximately Rs. 10,500 crores (US$ 1.26 billion) have been secured.
On March 15, 2024, The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways approved Rs. 645 crore (US$ 77.79 million) for 10 new waterways projects on the Brahmaputra in Assam, enhancing connectivity, boosting river tourism, and facilitating public commute, all under the Sagarmala programme.
On March 09, 2024, India's trade in container shipments experienced notable growth, totaling nearly 1.9 million TEUs, marking a 5% increase from January. Mundra Port managed 635,000 TEUs, Nhava Sheva Port handled 565,000 TEUs, and PSA Mumbai processed 158,000 TEUs.
On March 07, 2024, the Union Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal approved a project exceeding Rs. 800 crore (US$ 96.48 million) to revamp Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, encompassing berth reconstruction and mechanization to enhance operational efficiency and global competitiveness.
On February 20, 2024, The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways and Ayush, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal initiated major waterways projects in Northeast India, including inaugurating terminals at Bogibeel and Sonamura, unveiling projects worth Rs. 308 crore (US$ 37.14 million) and announcing initiatives for improved connectivity and economic growth.
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways will invest over Rs. 57,000 crore (US$ 6.55 billion) to boost Kandla Port’s capacity, including a Rs. 30,000 crore (US$ 3.45 billion) mega shipbuilding project and a Rs. 27,000 crore (US$ 3.10 billion) cargo terminal.
On September 19, 2023, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways proposed the Indian Ports Bill with the aim of enhancing transparency in port tariffs and updating penalties. The bill empowers the Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) for integrated planning and introduces a three-tier dispute resolution mechanism for conflicts between state maritime boards.
Paradip Port in Odisha emerged as India's largest major port in terms of cargo volumes, handling 145.38 million tonnes in FY24, surpassing Deendayal Port Authority in Gujarat for the first time in its 56-year history, driven by improved operational efficiency, record coastal shipping traffic, and increased thermal coal shipping.
On August 24, 2023, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways initiated the development of a Next-Gen Container Terminal at Tuna Tekra, Gujarat, through a Rs. 4,243.64 crore (US$ 511.7 million) PPP agreement with DP World, enhancing port infrastructure and trade connectivity.
On January 27, 2023, the Honorable Minister for Ports, Shipping, and Waterways inaugurated the National Logistics Portal (Marine). This platform connects logistics stakeholders, enhancing efficiency, transparency, and reducing costs and time delays through IT integration. Covering all transport modes, it offers seamless end-to-end logistics service coverage.
In April 2023, Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd (APSEZ), the largest transport utility in India, completed the acquisition of Karaikal Port Private Limited (KPPL) pursuant to NCLT approval. Earlier, APSEZ was declared as the successful resolution applicant under the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) of KPPL.
On June 17, 2024, Adani Ports & Special Economic Zone (APSEZ) announced that it has received approval for a Rs. 45,000 crore (US$ 5.39 billion) expansion of Mundra Port, aimed at significantly increasing its capacity. This expansion is vital as Mundra currently handles approximately 27% of India's total cargo and 44% of container cargo, with expectations to exceed 200 MMT in cargo volume for FY25.
In October 2022, Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the development of a container terminal at Tuna-Tekra, Deendayal Port, the terminal will be built on a Build, Operate & Transfer (BOT) basis under Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode.
On Nov 18, 2024, the Andaman and Nicobar administration announced plans to introduce seaplane services connecting Port Blair to Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, and Long Island. A recent demonstration showcased a seaplane that can land on both land and water, carrying up to 16 passengers, boosting tourism.
