As per a report by CareEdge Ratings, container volume in India is expected to increase by 8 per cent to 342 million tonnes in FY 2024-25. The growth will be driven by anticipated connection of the dedicated freight corridor to Jawaharlal Nehru Port by FY 2025-26, along with capacity expansions at various ports. Moreover, the share of coastal cargo is expected to rise from 34 per cent in FY 2022-23 to 42 per cent by FY 2025-26.
Cargo at Indian ports is dominated by crude (petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL)), coal and containers. Over the past three years (FY 2021-22 and FY 2023-24), POL witnessed moderate compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4 per cent. In contrast, coal and container volumes experienced more robust growth rates of 13 per cent and 9 per cent, respectively.