Major Ports in India: Key Hubs for Global Trade
Published on June 26, 2025
• 7 min read
One of the key aspects that facilitate global trade is ports. They are the key hubs for global trade. India has a vast coastline of over 7500 km, and hence, numerous seaports are crucial hubs for shipping and logistics. These ports are used to export and import goods and materials from around the world. In this article, we will explore the top 13 major ports in India and their roles in improving the country’s economy.
How Many Major Ports in India?
India has 13 major ports that the government manages; they are under the Ministry of Shipping and Waterways.
List of Major ports in India
Below is a complete list of major ports in India
1. Mumbai Port, Maharashtra
Located on the western coast of India, Mumbai Port is a central Gateway that handles millions of tons of cargo every year. It handles 55% of the total cargo that is traded through India. In 2023-24, the port handled 67.26 million tons of cargo. Mumbai Port is an essential part of India’s trade infrastructure that not only exports and imports goods, petroleum, textiles, and machinery but also handles passenger traffic. In 2023, 182,600 passengers were handled at the Mumbai Port.
2. Chennai Port
Chennai airport is India’s most prominent port and is vital to the country’s international trade. It is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, allowing it to accommodate large vessels. With strong connectivity, the Chennai port is the ideal choice for global trade, contributing approximately 18.6% of the total container volume. It can handle 2.5 million TEUs annually. In 2023-24, it handled 46.76 million tons of cargo.
3. Cochin Port, Kerala
Located on the southern western coast of India, the Cochin port plays a vital role in the county’s trade via waterways. Its strategic location makes it ideal for the trade of tea, spices, and petroleum. The port has a capacity of 32,03 million metric tonnes and can also handle 0.6 million units of TEU traffic.
4. Visakhapatnam Port, Andhra Pradesh
Visakhapatnam port is one of the busiest ports on India’s eastern coast. In 2022-23, the port managed approximately 81.09 tonnes of cargo, making it the third-largest port in India. According to recent reports, the reported annual container traffic is about 3.95 million TEUs. Also, according to the Container Port Performance Index 2023, Visakhapatnam port ranks 20th globally.
5. Kandla Port, Gujarat
Located on the Gulf of Kutch, the Kandla Port of Gujarat is mainly known for exporting salt and textiles. It is also prominently known for trading edible oils, fertiliser and petroleum products. The port has an annual capacity of 2.5 million metric tons of cargo and can handle a traffic of 0.7 million units. TEU.
6. New Mangalore port, Karnataka
Located on the southwest coast of India, the New Mangalore Port is another significant source of exports and imports. In 2022-23, the port handled 34.119 million tons of cargo. New Mangalore is known for exporting commodities like iron, petroleum products, and coal.
7. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port Trust, West Bengal
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Port Trust, also known as Kolkata Port Trust, is located in eastern India. In 2022-23, the port handled over 92.34 million tons of cargo. It has a processing capacity of 107,000 TEUs and handles cargo such as agricultural products, INO, and coal.
8. Paradip Port, Odisha
Paradip Port is a vital hub for India’s trade via waterways. Located on the eastern coast of India, it is mainly used for exporting coal, fertilisers and iron ore. In 2022, the port processed 116.1 million metric tons of cargo and has a capacity of 10,020 TEUs.
9. Ennore Port, Tamil Nadu
Ennore Port is also known as Kamarajar Port. In 2022, it handled 4.29 million tons of cargo and 61,515 TEUs. Over the past few years, Ennore Port has increased its handling capacity, thereby enhancing its role as a hub for India’s maritime trade.
10 Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Port Blair is a prominent port that handles cargo such as cement, food, grains, and petroleum products. It is vital to the local economy as it maintains a supply chain for the island and the nearby regions. In 2023, the cargo traffic on Port Blair was approximately 1.88 million metric tons.
11. Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), Maharashtra
Located in Mumbai, Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) is one of the largest container ports in India. It handles over 50% of the country’s cargo. In 2024, JNPT handled 4.74 million TEUs, a growth of 13.38% compared to the previous year. Moreover, the port handled a cargo volume of 60.05 million tons.
12. Mundra, Port, Gujarat
The report is one of the busiest sports in India. The port usually handles containers and cargo and transports liquid, bulk, coal, and other materials. In 2023, the port handled 7.4 million TEUs. In the years 2024-25, Mundra Port handled 17.6 million metric tons of cargo. The capacity of Mundra Port is constantly increasing, enhancing India’s economic growth.
13. Mormugao, Goa
Mormugao Port is famous for handling bulk cargo like iron ore. In 2022-23, the port handled 17.68 million tonnes of cargo, and in 2023, it managed 0.003 million TEUs.
Role of Major Ports in India
Ports in India are the backbone of the country’s trade infrastructure.
- Handles over 60% of India’s total cargo. Hence, it is very essential for international trade facilitation.
- Helps in improving the GDP by contributing significantly and supporting industries like mining, agriculture, and manufacturing.
- Ports have been generating employment opportunities for millions of people.
- Ports facilitate the transportation of goods and offer excellent connectivity through waterways.
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Conclusion
All the major ports in India are not just infrastructural development for the country but also the backbone of the country for facilitating international trade. In all, 13 significant ports connect India to the global market, improving economic development and supporting industrial growth in the country. Each year, these ports are handling more and more cargo, resulting in increased competition. Initiatives like the Sagarmala project and the privatisation steps ensure that there is more scope for ports in India. Indian ports will always continue to be key hubs for global trade.
Suggested read – How to export from India
FAQs About Major Ports in India
Which is the oldest port in India?
The oldest port in India is the Kolkata Port, which was established in 1870.
What is the difference between a major port and a minor port?
The central government governs major ports, while minor ports usually fall under the jurisdiction of state governments or even private companies.
What type of cargo do the Indian ports handle?
Indian ports deal in the transportation of cargo like crude oil, coal, fertilisers, agricultural products, and automobiles.
Which is the largest port in India?
Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) is the largest port in India.
Which port is well-known for handling iron or exports?
Paradip Port and Mormugao Port are well-known for exporting iron ore.
