Advantage India
Robust
Demand
*In FY26 (April-December), India's trade in container shipments experienced notable growth, totalling nearly 11.01 million TEUs, marking a 8.42% increase from the same period last year.
*India’s Major Ports have achieved significant milestones in FY25, demonstrating notable progress in cargo handling, operational efficiency, and infrastructure development. Major Ports recorded a 4.3% growth in cargo handling, reaching approximately 855 million tonnes, up from 819 million tonnes in FY24.
*The government targets Rs. 80 lakh crore (US$ 903.65 billion) investments under Sagarmala to boost port handling capacity to 10,000 MMT by 2047, generating millions of jobs.
Attractive
Opportunities
*Cargo traffic on India’s National Waterways has increased substantially, from 18.07 million metric tonnes (MMT) in 2013-14 to 146 MMT in 2024-25, with 160.8 MMT already transported by December 2025 in the 2025-26 financial year. Of the 32 operational waterways, 29 handle cargo, with approximately 85% of the traffic focused on five principal National Waterways.
*India has plans to invest Rs. 7,13,072 crore (US$ 82 billion) in port projects by 2035.
*Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal, stated India's ports sector is set to attract investments worth Rs. 80 lakh crore (US$ 903.65 billion). During the upcoming Maritime Week, MoUs worth Rs. 10 lakh crore (US$ 112.96 billion) were expected to be signed. New Mangalore Port Authority highlighted its net profit growth and plans to triple capacity over the next 20 years using solar power.
Policy
Support
*The Union Budget 2025–26 announced the creation of the Maritime Development Fund (MDF), a landmark initiative designed to attract investments, bolster infrastructure, and establish India as a global maritime leader. Cabinet approval on 24 September 2025 has cleared the path for its operationalisation. The Maritime Investment Fund (MIF) will be established as an Alternative Investment Fund with a corpus of Rs. 20,000 crore (US$ 2.26 billion), featuring 49% equity from the Central Government and the balance from sources including major ports, financial institutions, private investors, and sovereign funds.
*To encourage a modal shift to Inland Water Transport (IWT), the Government introduced the “Jalvahak” Cargo Promotion Scheme on December 15, 2024, offering 35% reimbursement on operational costs and launching scheduled cargo services on key NW routes. The Union Budget 2025-26 also extended the tonnage tax regime to inland vessels under the Indian Vessels Act 2021.
Competitive
Advantage
*India has a coastline of 11,098.81 km, interspersed with more than 200 ports.
*Ports in India handle around 95% of the international trade volume of the country and 70% of the trade moves through maritime routes. Increasing trade activities and private participation in port infrastructure are set to support port infrastructure activity in India.
Related News
MOREMajor Ports in India
- Kolkata
- Paradip
- Visakhapatnam
- Kamarajar (Ennore)
- Chennai
- V.O Chidambaranar
- Cochin
- New Mangalore
- Mormugao
- Deendayal
- Mumbai
- J.N.P.T
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