India’s major and non-major ports are witnessing a wave of infrastructure expansion, technological upgrades and capacity augmentation to support rising trade volumes and improve operational efficiency. Driven by policy support and sustained investments, ports are evolving into modern, integrated supply chain hubs that enable seamless, end-to-end cargo movement. Recent developments across key ports highlight a strong focus on connectivity, digitisation and large-scale capacity creation.
Key milestones and recent achievements at major ports
Deendayal Port
Deendayal Port achieved a significant milestone in 2025-26, surpassing 160 million tonnes (mt) of cargo throughput, its highest ever, thereby emerging as the top-performing major port in India. This represents a year-on-year growth of approximately 7 per cent, driven by strong performance across key segments, including fertilisers (32 per cent), liquid cargo (23.4 per cent) and container traffic (54 per cent). The port also marked a national first by successfully executing a triple banking ship-to-ship cargo transfer at a tidal port, demonstrating advanced operational capabilities.
In December 2025, projects worth Rs 1.93 billion were inaugurated and initiated at the port, encompassing land development for a shipyard facility, enhanced coastal road connectivity to National Highway (NH)-141, modern storage infrastructure, and critical utility upgrades such as chemical pipeline networks and fender systems.
Further, in April 2026, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW) approved the construction of a road overbridge at LC-235, with an estimated cost of Rs 1.33 billion. Undertaken under the Sagarmala Programme and aligned with the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, the project is expected to alleviate congestion caused by rail crossings and facilitate seamless cargo movement.
Additionally, the port has completed the full roll-out of its enterprise business system (EBS), marking a key milestone in its digital transformation. This comprehensive deployment is expected to reduce transaction costs, enhance real-time operational visibility and improve the overall ease of doing business for port users, shipping lines and other stakeholders.
Jawaharlal Nehru Port
The Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) recorded its highest-ever cargo throughput of 102 mt in 2025-26, including 8.17 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs), underscoring strong operational performance. This represents a growth of 10.74 per cent in overall cargo and 11.94 per cent in container volumes over 2024-25, when the port handled 92.11 mt and 7.30 million TEUs. The port continues to operate at high capacity utilisation and remains a critical gateway for India’s export-import trade.
In November 2025, the JNPA signed multiple MoUs worth over Rs 2.2 trillion to enhance port infrastructure and support the development of Vadhvan Port. In addition, Knowledge Marine and Engineering Works Limited deployed River Pearl 47, the country’s largest and deepest Indian-flag backhoe dredger, at the port under a contract from the Dredging Corporation of India.
On the digital front, JNPA is advancing the adoption of digital twin technology to enhance operational efficiency and decision-making through real-time virtual modelling. The port has also implemented an indigenously developed harbour management system and an independent integrated vessel traffic system to further digitise and streamline its marine operations.
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port
In a notable development, MoPSW approved the renovation of the bascule bridge at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata, in March 2026. The project entails comprehensive structural and electro-mechanical upgrades to the double-leaf bridge, aimed at improving safety and enabling faster, more efficient cargo and vehicular movement within the port. During the same month, the port also signed a licence agreement with East Horizon Private Limited to establish a Rs 2.6 billion floating storage and regasification unit at Haldia Dock Complex, enhancing liquefied natural gas import, storage and regasification capabilities.
Additionally, the port inaugurated its first public-private partnership terminal at Khidderpore Docks in August 2025 through Century Ports Limited. The facility, equipped with modern cargo-handling infrastructure and an advanced terminal operating system, has an initial capacity of 165,000 TEUs and 330,000 tonnes of cargo. As part of its broader strategy, the port is also planning new container and coal berths to decongest city traffic and expand capacity along the eastern seaboard.
Other major ports
Across India’s major ports, a series of infrastructure upgrades, capacity expansions and digital initiatives are reinforcing operational efficiency and supporting maritime-led growth.
In January 2026, projects worth Rs 2.3 billion were launched at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority, covering firefighting upgrades, dry dock modernisation, administrative infrastructure and residential development. These initiatives are expected to enhance operational capabilities and support the port’s potential to surpass 100 mt of cargo throughput. During the same month, MoPSW announced projects worth Rs 2.35 billion at Chennai Port Authority and Kamarajar Port Limited. Of this, Rs 1.29 billion was allocated to Chennai Port for coastal revetment strengthening, a new firefighting pump house and upgraded hospital facilities, alongside the launch of an EBS and an e-port clearance portal to digitise operations and improve turnaround times. At Kamarajar Port, key works included a new boundary wall and rehabilitation of the northern breakwater. The port also achieved a milestone by becoming the first in India to handle automobile transshipment, receiving 550 vehicles from Mitsui O.S.K. Lines in August 2025.
Meanwhile, the ministry approved the redevelopment of Berth 9 at New Mangalore Port Authority in March 2026 at an estimated cost of Rs 4.38 billion. The project, with a capacity of 10.90 million tonnes per annum, will incorporate advanced mechanisation and safety systems to improve efficiency and reduce logistics costs.
At V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, significant progress has been made on both security and capacity expansion. The port has deployed India’s first advanced anti-drone system and commissioned North Cargo Berth-III in July 2025. This has been followed by projects exceeding Rs 15 billion and the long-term Rs 150 billion Outer Harbour Project, aimed at enabling large vessel handling and expanding capacity in phases.
Key milestones and recent achievements at non-major ports
India’s non-major ports have demonstrated significant progress through a series of strategic developments and infrastructure enhancements. These milestones reflect a broader shift toward capacity expansion, technological advancement, sustainability and global integration.
Mundra Port: At Mundra Port, operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ), a major achievement has been the commissioning of India’s first dedicated very large crude carrier terminal. This facility is designed with a deep draft and advanced marine infrastructure capable of accommodating crude carriers with deadweight capacities of up to 330,000 tonnes. The development represents a significant enhancement in India’s ability to handle large-scale crude imports directly, thereby improving supply chain efficiency and reducing reliance on intermediary transshipment hubs.
Hazira Port: APSEZ inaugurated a 1.1 km roadway constructed using processed steel slag aggregates at Hazira Port in Gujarat in July 2026. This project, developed during the second phase of the bulk and general cargo terminal expansion, is recognised as the world’s first steel slag road within a port facility. The initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-Central Road Research Institute and the Ministry of Science and Technology. The project demonstrates the effective utilisation of industrial by-products in infrastructure development, contributing to sustainable construction practices while maintaining operational efficiency within port logistics.
Gangavaram Port: On the eastern coast, a significant strategic partnership was formalised at Gangavaram Port. In February 2026, APSEZ, through its subsidiary Adani Gangavaram Port Limited, entered into an MoU with the National Mineral Development Corporation and Vale S.A. during the India-Brazil Business Forum in New Delhi. The agreement aims to establish an integrated iron ore blending facility along with a dedicated special economic zone. Additionally, the project includes the development of mechanised berths, advanced yard operations and improved logistics infrastructure. Upon completion, the port’s handling capacity is projected to increase to approximately 75 mt, with the capability to accommodate Valemax vessels, among the largest iron ore carriers globally.
Pipavav Port: Operated by Gujarat Pipavav Port Limited (GPPL), a subsidiary of APM Terminals, two significant agreements were executed at the port to support long-term expansion. In December 2025, GPPL signed an MoU with NYK India Private Limited to expand roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) infrastructure. This initiative aims to increase the port’s vehicle-handling capacity to 500,000 units annually, with a particular focus on electric vehicle exports. The project is expected to reduce dwell time and enhance synchronisation between vessel operations and rail connectivity, thereby improving overall logistics efficiency. Earlier, in November 2025, GPPL had entered into another MoU with the Gujarat Maritime Board to facilitate an investment of approximately Rs 170 billion for the expansion and modernisation of Pipavav Port. This comprehensive development plan encompasses capacity augmentation across container, bulk, liquid and ro-ro cargo segments, positioning the port for sustained growth in cargo handling and operational performance.
Strengthening port connectivity
India is accelerating port connectivity upgrades to support rising cargo volumes and improve logistics efficiency. In March 2026, the government cleared a Rs 4.72 billion road-over-bridge project to strengthen access to Tuna Tekra Port and improve cargo evacuation. The project includes viaducts, a creek bridge and supporting road infrastructure, along with a 10-year maintenance plan to ensure long-term efficiency. This bridge will serve as a critical link for the under-development Tuna Tekra Mega Container Terminal (2.19 million TEUs capacity) and a multipurpose cargo berth (18.33 million metric tonnes per annum). The container terminal itself is already under implementation and is expected to be completed by 2027, with construction progress at around 45 per cent. Earlier, in February 2026, the centre approved a Rs 57.4 million six-lane road project linking Machilipatnam Port to NH-65 and NH-216. This includes flyovers and a rail overbridge to ensure seamless cargo movement and reduce logistics costs.
While road connectivity is improving, rail connectivity remains a bottleneck at several non-major ports. For instance, the under-construction Vizhinjam Port is operational but still lacks full rail-road integration, highlighting ongoing infrastructure gaps. Addressing these gaps will require integrated planning and execution.
In sum
Collectively, these developments underscore the evolving role of major as well as non-major ports in India’s maritime sector. The focus on large-scale infrastructure, strategic international partnerships, sustainable construction practices and multimodal logistics integration highlights a concerted effort to enhance efficiency and global competitiveness.
Sidra Siddiquie