Indian major ports handle 65.87 mt of cargo traffic in April 2023

India’s major ports handled 65.87 million tonnes of cargo traffic in April 2023, an increase of 1.30 per cent as compared to April 2022. The increase in cargo traffic is primarily driven by an increase in coal – both coking and thermal (imports) and finished fertiliser shipments. However, traffic across Paradip (Odisha), Deendayal (Gujarat), and Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Maharashtra) – slowed down on account of lower iron ore shipments (a key export item from India), indicating building recessionary pressures. These three ports handled 45 per cent of the country’s cargo traffic, slightly lower than the 47 per cent share they had in the comparative month last year.