Ports in India
In India, ports are categorised into major ports and non-major ports (minor ports). As of 2024, the country has 13 major ports and 217 non-major ports. Major ports are administered by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under the Government of India, whereas non-major ports fall under the jurisdiction of State Maritime Boards of respective state governments, including private ports operating under the public–private partnership (PPP) model. Among the 217 non-major ports, cargo is handled only at 68 ports, others are used by fishing vessels and ferries.
India has a coastline of 11,098 kilometres, forming one of the largest peninsulas in the world. According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, around 95 percent of India's trading by volume and 70 percent by value is done through maritime transport. India's major ports handled highest ever cargo of 795 million tonne in FY23.
According to Constitution of India, maritime transport is to be administered by both the Central and the State governments. While the central government's shipping ministry administers the major ports, the minor and intermediate ports are administered by the relevant departments or ministries in the nine coastal states of Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Several of these 187 minor and intermediate ports have been identified by the respective governments to be developed, in a phased manner, a good proportion of them involving public–private partnership.
India [major port]
Chennai Port
Chennai Port, formerly known as Madras Port, is the second largest container port of India, behind Mumbai's Jawaharlal Nehru Port also known as Nhava Sheva. The port is the largest one in the Bay of Bengal. It is the third-oldest port among the 12 major ports of India with official port operations beginning in 1881, although maritime trade started much earlier in 1639 on the undeveloped shore.
India [major port]
Cochin Port
Cochin Port or Kochi Port is a major port on the Arabian Sea – Laccadive Sea – Indian Ocean sea-route in the city of Kochi in Ernakulam district in the state of Kerala and is one of the largest ports in India. The Vallarpadam container terminal, part of the Cochin Port, is the first transshipment port in India. The Cochin port lies on two islands in the Vembanadu Lake; Willingdon Island and Vallarpadam, towards the Fort Kochi river mouth opening onto the Laccadive Sea.
India [major port]
Deendayal Port
Kandla Port, officially known as Deendayal Port, is a seaport in Kutch district of Gujarat, India. The port is situated in the Kandla Creek and is 90 km from the mouth of Gulf of Kutch, it is one of India's major ports on the west coast. It is about 256 nautical miles southeast of the Port of Karachi in Pakistan and about 430 nautical miles north-northwest of the Port of Mumbai. Kandla Port was constructed in the 1950s as the chief seaport serving western India.
India [major port]
Jawaharlal Nehru Port
Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as JNPT and Nhava Sheva Port, is the second largest container port in India after Mundra Port. Operated by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust Authority (JNPTA), it is located on the eastern shores of Arabian Sea in Navi Mumbai, Raigad district, Maharashtra. This port can be accessed via Thane Creek, a nodal city of Navi Mumbai. It is the main port of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region after Mumbai Port, also of Maharashtra and Western India. Its common name derives from the names of Nhava-Sheva (new sheva) village that is situated here. It is also the terminal of the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor.
India [major port]
Mormugao Port
Mormugao Port is a port on the western coast of India, in the coastal state of Goa. Commissioned in 1885 on the site of a natural harbour, it is one of India's oldest ports. The port employs around 2,600 employees and has about 4,000 pensioners. The Mormugao Port Authority (MPA), which operates the port, is the largest employer in the Vasco region and has a complete mini-township in Headland Sada which includes schools, residential complexes and amenities (like a hospital) for employees of the Port. It was renamed from 'Mormugao Port Trust' to 'Mormugao Port Authority' in 2022.
India [major port]
Mumbai Port
Mumbai Port (also known as the Bombay Port) is a port which lies midway on the west coast of India, on the natural deep-water Mumbai harbour in Maharashtra. The harbour spread over 400 square kilometres (150 sq mi) is protected by the mainland of Konkan to its east and north and by the island city of Mumbai to its west. The harbour opens to the south to the Arabian Sea. The port is administered by the Mumbai Port Trust (MbPT, formerly the Bombay Port Trust (BPT)), an autonomous corporation wholly owned by the Government of India. The port is primarily used for bulk cargo, while most container traffic is directed to Nhava Sheva port across the harbour.
India [major port]
New Mangalore Port
New Mangalore Port or New Mangalore Port Trust(NMPT) is an all-weather port at Panambur, Mangalore in Karnataka state in India. The total land area of the port is approximately 480 hectares (1,200 acres). The New Mangalore Port is the deepest inner harbour on the west coast. It is the only major port of Karnataka and the seventh largest port in India. It is operated by New Mangalore Port Authority (NMPA).
India [major port]
Paradip Port
Paradip Port is a natural, deep-water port on the East coast of India in Paradip, just 53 km (33 mi) from Jagatsinghpur city in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha, India. It is at the confluence of the Mahanadi river and the Bay of Bengal, 210 nmi (390 km; 240 mi) south of Kolkata and 260 nmi (480 km; 300 mi) north of Visakhapatnam. The port is administered by the Paradip Port Authority (PPA)(formerly Paradip Port Trust), an autonomous corporation wholly owned by the Government of India.
India [major port]
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port
Established in 1870, the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (formerly Kolkata Port) stands as India’s first major and sole riverine port, boasting two dock systems – Kolkata Dock and Haldia Dock Complex. Despite facing a decline since 1966-67, the port’s adaptability led to a resurgence in cargo and vessel handling, recording 50.951 million tonnes of traffic and handling 7,71,676 TEUs in 2016-17. Notably, Kolkata Port ranks 3rd in India for container traffic and maintains its position as the major port circuit’s busiest in terms of vessel handling.
India [major port]
Visakhapatnam Port
Visakhapatnam Port is one of twelve major ports in India and the only major port in Andhra Pradesh. The port is India's third largest by volume of cargo handled and largest on the Eastern Coast. It is located 880 km (550 mi) from Kolkata Port and 780 km (480 mi) from Chennai Port, almost midway between the two other major ports along the coast of Bay of Bengal.
India [major port]
V. O. Chidambaranar Port
V. O. Chidambaranar Port is a port in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, and is one of the 13 major ports in India. It was declared to be a major port on 11 July 1974. It is the second largest port in Tamil Nadu and third largest container terminal in India. V.O. Chidambaranar Port is an artificial port. This is the third international port in Tamil Nadu and it is second all-weather port. All V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority's traffic handling has crossed 10 million tons from 1 April to 13 September 2008, registering a growth rate of 12.08 per cent, surpassing the corresponding previous year handling of 8.96 million tons.
India [major port]
Kamarajar Port
Kamarajar Port, formerly Ennore Port, is located on the Coromandel Coast, Chennai about 18 km north of Chennai Port. It is the 12th major port of India, and the first port in India which is a public company. The Kamarajar Port Limited is the only corporatised major port and is registered as a company. Chennai Port Trust acquired around 67% stake of Centre in the Kamarajar Port Limited on 27 March 2020. The remaining 23 percent was already held by the Chennai Port Trust.
India [major port]
Galathea Bay Port
The International Container Transshipment Port (ICTP), also called the Galathea Bay Port is a proposed container transshipment port at Galathea Bay, Great Nicobar Island in the union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India, to be constructed at a cost of ₹44,000 crore. It has a natural depth of more than 20 meter. It is developed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under the Government of India. In September 2024, it was officially notified as the 13th major port of India. The first phase of development is expected to be commissioned in 2028.
India [Private port]
Mundra Port
Mundra Port is India's first private port, largest container port and largest commercial port, located on the northern shores of the Gulf of Kutch near Mundra, Kutch district, Gujarat. Formerly operated by Mundra Port and Special Economic Zone Limited (MPSEZ) owned by Adani Group,[2] it was later expanded into Adani Ports & SEZ Limited (APSEZ) managing several ports. In FY 2020–21, Mundra Port handled 144.4 million tonnes of cargo.[3] The port currently handles over 155 MT (highest in India), which constitutes nearly 11 per cent of India’s maritime cargo. The port also handles nearly 33 per cent of India’s container traffic.
India [Private port]
Karaikal Port
Karaikal Port Private Limited is a private port developed by the Chennai based MARG Limited, became operational in April, 2009. It is located on the Eastern coast of India in Karaikal around 300 km south of Chennai Port and around 360 km north of Tuticorin Port. On April 1, 2023, Adani Ports & SEZ (APSEZ) completed the acquisition of Karaikal Port. Karaikal Port became operational in April 2009 when it received its first vessel. Phase 1 comprises 2 Panamax size berths capable of handling 5.2 million MT of cargo per annum. The port has received over 1655 vessels since Commercial Operations and has handled over 55 million MT of various cargo.
India [Private port]
JSW Jaigad Port
Jaigad Port also officially known as JSW Jaigarh Port is a sea port in Jaigad, Maharashtra, on the eastern coast of the Arabian Sea. The port is operated by JSW Infrastructure. It is Maharashtra's first deep water and all-weather port for berthing of capsized ships. The port offers specialised services for dry bulk and liquid cargo. As of 2021, the port has a cargo handling capacity of 50 million metric tons (55 million short tons).
India [Private port]
Krishnapatnam Port
Krishnapatnam Port popularly known as KPCL is a privately built and owned all weather, deep water port on the east coast of India, located in the Nellore District of Andhra Pradesh. It is located about 190 km north of the Chennai Port and 18 km east of the city of Nellore. The port was owned and operated by the Krishnapatnam Port Company Limited (KPCL) which was 92% owned by Hyderabad-based CVR Group. The London-based equity firm 3i owned the remaining 8% equity in KPCL.
India [Private port]
JSW Dharamtar Port
Dharamtar port, commonly known as JSW Dharamtar Port is on the right bank of the Amba river (i.e., Dharamtar creek) and is 10 miles (16 km) from its mouth.[3] Approximately 2 km (1.2 mi) from Wadkhal village on NH-17. The port is 0.5 km (0.31 mi) from the state highway that runs through Pen to Alibag and is 2 km (1.2 mi) away from National Highway 17 (Mumbai—Goa). The port is also adjacent to Mumbai–Goa–Konkan railway line with an approved rail siding.
India [Private port]
Hazira Port
Hazira Port or Surat Port is a deep-water liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal and multi-cargo deep-water port about 20 miles southwest of Surat, India built by Essar Group. It was originally designed as a captive port for Essar Steel. The current container port has been acquired by Adani Group. The LNG facility is a joint venture between Shell Gas B.V (Shell) and Total Gaz Electricité Holdings France (Total). Shell holds 74% in the venture, with Total holds the remainder.
India [Private port]
Dighi Port
Dighi Port is a sea port in Maharashtra, India, on the eastern coast of the Arabian Sea, 42 nautical miles (78 km; 48 mi) from the Mumbai port. The port is operated by Adani Ports & SEZ.
India [Private port]
Dhamra Port
The Dhamra Port is a port in Bhadrak district, Odisha, India, on the shore of the Bay of Bengal about seven kilometres from Dhamra town. The agreement to develop the port was signed in April 1998. The Dhamra Port Company Limited (DPCL) was formed as a result of a 50:50 joint venture between Larsen & Toubro and TATA Steel to run the port. The Port received its first vessel on 8 February 2010 and the first commercial vessel on 10 April 2011. The Port has an initial capacity of 25 million tonnes annually, eventually growing to 80 million tonnes annually. Greenpeace has opposed the project, claiming it threatens nearby protected areas and endangered species such as the olive ridley turtle.
India [Private port]
Gopalpur port
Gopalpur port is a deep sea port of Gopalpur near Brahmapur city in Ganjam District, Odisha, India. The port has been developed on the Bay of Bengal. The seaport will increase the sea trade of Odisha, as well as industry and employment.
India [Private port]
Gangavaram Port
Gangavaram Port is a port located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. Inaugurated in July 2009, it has a depth of 21m. It is managed by Gangavaram Port Ltd., a special-purpose company floated by Mr. DVS Raju and cousin Mr.Datla Sreenu. Mr. DVS Raju serves as its chairman and managing director. The company is owned by the DVS Raju Group (58.1%), Adani Ports (31.5%) and the Andhra Pradesh Government (10.4%).
India [Private port]
Kattupalli Port
The Kattupalli Shipyard, officially Adani Katupalli Port Private Limited, is a large shipyard project at Kattupalli village near Ennore in Chennai, being built by L&T Shipbuilding Ltd. It is being set up jointly by TIDCO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in two phases. L&T shipbuilding Kattupalli is a minor port. Adani ports and special economic zone (APSEZ) acquired Kattupalli Port from L&T in June 2018 and renamed it as Adani Katupalli Port Private Limited (AKPPL).
India [Private port]
Dahej Port
Dahej is a cargo port situated on the South-west coast of Gujarat, India in Bharuch district. There is 17.5 million tonnes per year capacity LNG terminal operated by Petronet in Dahej. The Port of Dahej is located in the Gulf of Cambay, at the junction of Guljaria and Ban Creek. It is a natural deep water port accommodating vessels of draft up to 25m. It is about 45 kilometers from Bharuch, which is now being connected to the Port of Dahej by a broad-gauge rail siding with an initial capacity of 25-30 rakes a day. The nearest airports are at Ahmedabad, Surat and Baroda.
India [Private port]
Kakinada Port
Kakinada Port is located at Kakinada off the east coast of India. It is 170 km (106 mi) south of Visakhapatnam Port. Kakinada Port is a large complex comprising Kakinada Anchorage Port, Kakinada Deep Water Port, Kakinada Fishing Harbour and Ship-Breaking Unit. Kakinada Anchorage Port has a century-long tradition.
India [Private port]
Tuna Port
Tuna Port formerly known as Tuna Tekra Port is a newly constructed all-weather working port in Tuna Village, Gujarat, India with capacity of 14 MMTPA. The port is located 15 KM from existing Kandla Port on South West direction, Gujarat.
India [Private port]
Vizhinjam International Seaport
The Vizhinjam International Seaport Thiruvananthapuram also known as Trivandrum Port is India's first deep water container transshipment port, located in Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala. The port is designed to be a multi-purpose, all-weather, green port located around 20 kilometres (12 mi) away from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. It is poised to become India's first automated port and holds a unique position as the only Indian port directly adjacent to an international shipping lane.
India [Private port]
Port Pipavav
Port Pipavav, is a port on the west coast of India located in the Amreli district in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, 90 km South of Amreli, 15 km South of Rajula and 140 km Southwest of Bhavnagar. The port has cargo operations for containers, bulk, liquid and roll-on/roll-off cargo and a shipyard that builds naval vessels.