Seaports in India are one of the country"s strong economic engines, driving the import-export sector. With 12 major seaports and over 200 minor ones, the country relies heavily on maritime infrastructure to move goods in and out efficiently. These ports are more than logistic hubs they drive trade, boost employment, and support various industries.
Knowing which ports handle the highest cargo volumes helps us understand trade trends, infrastructure growth, and regional economic shifts. From crude oil to textiles, cargo tonnage tells a bigger story about India’s potential, needs, what it produces, and where it’s headed.
In this article, we’ll list down the top 10 busiest seaports by cargo tonnage and how they drive the industry forward. We’ll also discuss some of the government initiatives, budget allocation, and the challenges faced.
Seaports in India have achieved several milestones over the past few years. According to the PIB press release, in FY 2024-25, cargo traffic across the major seaports reached around 855 million tonnes, up from 819 million tonnes in the previous year, marking a 4.3 percent annual growth.
In Q2 2025 alone, the ports handled over 220 million tonnes of cargo with a 5.5 percent increase compared to the same period last year. Commodities like crude oil, coal, fertilisers, iron ore, and container shipments make up a significant share of this volume.
With the coastal land also being repurposed for industrial use, the role of seaports in India continues to grow, both in terms of cargo tonnage and economic influence.
| Rank | Seaport | Location | Cargo handled (in million tonnes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paradip Port Authority | Orissa | 13.14 |
| 2 | Deendayal Port Authority | Gujarat | 12.03 |
| 3 | Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority | Maharashtra | 7.56 |
| 4 | Visakhapatnam Port Authority | Andhra Pradesh | 7.33 |
| 5 | Shyama Prasad Mukerjee Port (Kolkata Port) | West Bengal | 5.93 |
| 6 | Mumbai Port Authority | Maharashtra | 5.68 |
| 7 | Chennai Port Authority | Tamil Nadu | 5.07 |
| 8 | Kamrajar Port Authority | Tamil Nadu | 4.10 |
| 9 | V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority | Tamil Nadu | 3.62 |
| 10 | Cochin Port Authority | Kerala | 3.39 |
The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways has been allocated a total budget of ₹3,470 crores. A significant portion, ₹1,247 crore, has been assigned to the central sector projects, with a focus on improving port infrastructure, modernisation, and cargo handling capacity at major seaports.
₹1,752 crore has been allocated to support inland water transport and improve hinterland connectivity. Projects like Sagarmala, investments in public sector port enterprises, and digital innovation are also being prioritised to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery.
The government has constantly supported India’s maritime sector:
Sagarmala is India’s flagship port-led growth initiative, launched in 2015. The programme focuses on modernising ports, improving logistics, and boosting industrial clusters around coastal areas. So far, 272 (out of 839) projects have been completed, involving ₹1.41 lakh crore in investment.
Sagarmala 2.0 and Sagarmala Startup Innovation Initiative (S2I2), launched in March 2025, promote startups working on green shipping, smart port tech, maritime sustainability, and port technology.
The MIV 2030 framework focuses on 150 key initiatives to focus on shipbuilding capacity, streamline cargo movement, and increase coastal and waterway traffic. It aligns with national goals to position seaports in India as global hubs, strengthening the role of the top 10 busiest seaports, expanding cargo tonnage, and supporting growth across the sector.
Also, Lok Sabha’s recent bill, the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2024, replaces outdated laws with a modern legal framework, making sea trade simpler and more aligned with global standards.
The Green Tug Transition Programme aims to reduce emissions across major seaports by phasing out conventional fuel-based tugs. From October 2024, four of the largest ports - Jawaharlal Nehru, Deendayal, Paradip, and VOC - adopted green tugs using cleaner fuels. This shift supports cleaner cargo handling at the busiest ports.
The seaports in India are crucial for the ecosystem.
While major seaports in India support international trade, several challenges do exist:
First Published: Aug 07, 2025, 16:30
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