India’s Major Ports have marked a historic year in FY 2024-25, achieving record growth in cargo handling, operational efficiency, and financial performance. Demonstrating a steady rise over the past decade, the ports handled approximately 855 million tonnes of cargo this fiscal, up from 819 million tonnes in FY 2023-24—an annual growth rate of 4.3%. This increase was driven by robust growth in container throughput, fertilizer and petroleum cargo, and miscellaneous commodities.
Among the top-performing cargo categories were Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL), which accounted for 254.5 million tonnes or nearly 30% of the total cargo, followed by container traffic (193.5 million tonnes), coal (186.6 million tonnes), and other bulk commodities. Paradip and Deendayal Port Authorities crossed the 150-million-tonne milestone for the first time, while Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority recorded a 13.5% year-on-year increase by handling 7.3 million TEUs.
A notable development in FY 2024-25 was the allocation of 962 acres of port land for industrialization, expected to generate ?7,565 crore in revenue, with projected future investments of ?68,780 crore. Public-private partnerships (PPP) also gained momentum, with investments tripling from ?1,329 crore in FY 2022-23 to ?3,986 crore in the current fiscal year.
Operational metrics showed substantial improvement. Pre-Berthing Detention (PBD) Time decreased by 36%, reflecting streamlined operations. Financially, Major Ports posted a total income of ?24,203 crore, marking an 8% rise from the previous year. Operating surplus grew to ?12,314 crore, a 7% increase from FY 2023-24.
Hon’ble Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, hailed the year as a landmark in India’s maritime progress. He credited the leadership of the Prime Minister and the combined efforts of port authorities and employees for driving modernization, efficiency, and private investment.
Over the last decade, cargo volumes surged from 581 million tonnes in FY 2014-15 to about 855 million tonnes in FY 2024-25, reflecting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4%. Container traffic rose sharply by 70%, reaching 13.5 million TEUs, up from 7.9 million TEUs. Conventional cargo segments like coal, iron ore, and fertilizers also witnessed consistent growth.
Performance indicators reflected strong operational gains: Output per Ship Berth Day increased from 12,458 to 18,304 tonnes, while average turnaround time improved by 48%, dropping from 96 hours to 49.5 hours. PBD time fell from 5.02 to 3.8 hours, and idle time declined from 23.1% to 16.3%.
Financially, the ports have more than doubled their total income over the decade, with earnings rising from ?11,760 crore to ?24,203 crore, while operating surplus nearly tripled, showing a strong CAGR of 13%. The operating ratio improved significantly, from 64.7% to 42.3%, underscoring enhanced financial sustainability.
As India’s Major Ports continue to embrace digitalization, mechanisation, and multi-modal logistics integration, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways remains committed to building world-class, future-ready maritime infrastructure. FY 2024-25 stands as a defining year that reflects India’s readiness to lead in global maritime trade.