Key Highlights of India’s Major Port Performance in FY 2025–26
- Record Cargo Volume: India’s 12 major ports handled 915.17 million tonnes (MT) of cargo in FY 2025–26, exceeding the annual target of 904 MT.
- Growth Rate: The growth rate stood at 7.06%, reflecting improved efficiency and capacity utilization.
- Top Performing Ports:
- Deendayal Port Authority: 160.11 MT
- Paradip Port Authority: 156.45 MT
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA): 102.01 MT
- Other strong performers: Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, Chennai, and New Mangalore Ports.
- Highest Growth Rates:
- Mormugao Port Authority (Goa): +15.91%
- Kolkata Dock System: +14.28%
- JNPA: +10.74%
Drivers of Growth in Port Performance
1. Digital Transformation & Reforms
- National Logistics Portal (Marine) and Maritime Single Window: Enable unified trade facilitation across agencies.
- Sagar Setu and e-Samudra: Integrated digital platforms offering all maritime services on a single portal.
- One-Nation-One-Document (ONOD) and One-Nation-One-Process (ONOP):
- Standardize documentation and procedures across ports.
- Eliminate redundant processes in customs, immigration, and health clearances.
- Shift from physical to fully digital processing, reducing delays and errors.
2. Increased Commodity Handling
- Rise in handling of key commodities:
- Coal
- Crude oil
- Containers
- Fertilizers
- Petroleum, Oil, and Lubricants (POL)
3. Improved Operational Efficiency
- Turnaround time reduced from ~4 days (2013–14) to less than 1 day (2025–26).
- Enhanced ease of doing business due to process streamlining and automation.
4. Capacity Augmentation & Modernization
- Infrastructure expansion supported by the Indian Ports Act, 2025.
- Focus on modernizing berths, dredging, and cargo handling equipment.
Integration of AI in Indian Ports
Artificial Intelligence is the next frontier in port transformation:
- Pilot Project: IIT-Madras collaborated with VO Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin) to use AI for:
- Congestion forecasting
- Just-in-time berthing
- Result: Significant fuel and time savings
Smart Ports vs AI (Thinking) Ports
| Aspect | Smart Ports | AI (Thinking) Ports |
|---|---|---|
| Approach & Focus | Technology-driven; automation and real-time monitoring | Decision-driven; predictive insights and outcome-based planning |
| Functioning | Reacts to current events; optimizes within silos | Anticipates future scenarios; optimizes across integrated systems |
| Decision-Making | Provides data visibility with limited decision support | Enables AI-backed judgment and proactive decisions |
Challenges in AI Adoption
- Fragmented data systems across vendors
- Lack of standardization
- Need for Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) approach to ensure:
- Standardized data formats
- Interoperability
- Shared registries
- Cybersecurity
Overview of Ports in India
- Economic Significance:
- Handle 95% of India’s EXIM cargo by volume
- Handle 70% by value
- Number of Major Ports: 12 (as of FY 2025–26)
- 13th major port at Vadhavan, Maharashtra, under development
- List of 12 Major Ports:
- Deendayal (Kandla)
- Mumbai
- Jawaharlal Nehru (Nhava Sheva)
- Mormugao (Goa)
- New Mangalore
- Cochin
- VO Chidambaranar (Tuticorin)
- Chennai
- Kamarajar (Ennore)
- Visakhapatnam
- Paradip
- Syama Prasad Mookerjee (Kolkata)
- Ownership & Governance:
- All major ports are owned by the Government of India
- Governed by the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021
- Administered by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
- No major port has been privatized; land and waterfront remain under government control
- Private participation allowed via landlord port model / Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
- Non-Major Ports:
- Fall under State Governments or State Maritime Boards
- Over 200 non-major ports in India
Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047
- A long-term vision to transform India into a global maritime powerhouse
- Pillars:
- Port-led development (Sagarmala)
- Logistics integration
- Digitalization and modernization
- Green and sustainable shipping
Reforms in Focus: ONOD & ONOP
- One Nation One Document (ONOD):
- Standardized digital documents across all port stakeholders
- One Nation One Process (ONOP):
- Uniform procedures for vessel arrival, cargo clearance, and regulatory compliance
- Reduces duplication and delays
UPSC Previous Year Question
Prelims 2017: What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?
- (a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.
- (b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
- (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
- (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.
Answer: (c)
This highlights the strategic significance of port development in India’s foreign and trade policy.