Major Ports in India

Major Ports in India: The Republic of India has a total of 13 major ports, of which 12 ports are Government-owned and 1 is private. The country has 7517 kilometres of coastline and its major ports handled 795 million tonnes of cargo in FY23.

In this article, we are going to discuss the major ports in India in detail.

List of 13 Ports in India

Sr. No.	Name of the Port	State
1.	Kolkata Port	West Bengal
2.	Paradip Port	Orissa
3.	Visakhapatnam Port	Andhra Pradesh
4.	Kamarajar Port	Tamil Nadu
5.	Chennai Port	Tamil Nadu
6.	Tuticorin Port	Tamil Nadu
7.	Cochin Port	Kerala
8.	New Mangalore Port	Karnataka
9.	Mormugao Port	Goa
10.	Mumbai Port	Maharashtra
11.	Jawaharlal Nehru Port	Maharashtra
12.	Kandla Port	Gujarat
13.	Port Blair Port	Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Major Ports in India Map

India has a rich coastal region and has a 6100 km of primary coastlines, which makes up to 7500 km of the overall coastline. Numerous natural, artificial as well as tribal ports in the coastal regions, spread across nine coastal states of India. 13 are major ports, 200 are intermediate ports and minor ports, which help in the process of sea transportation.

Major Ports of India on Eastern Coast

The major ports on the Eastern Coast of India play a critical role in the country’s maritime trade, handling a significant volume of cargo and facilitating international commerce. Here are the major ports located on the Eastern Coast:

Kolkata Port

Kolkata Port, now called Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, is India’s oldest major river port situated in Kolkata, West Bengal. It was built by the British East India Company. Unlike most ports, Kolkata is freshwater with no salt content. It has two main sections: Kolkata Dock in the city and a deep water dock at Haldia Dock Complex, located around 203 kilometers away from the sea.

Aspect	Details
Name	Kolkata Port (officially Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port Trust)
Location	Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Established	1870
Type	Riverine Port
Primary Cargo	Bulk and break bulk cargo, containers, minerals, tea, textiles
Significance	India’s oldest operating port and major riverine port, playing a critical role in the trade network of eastern and northeastern India and the Himalayan region.

Paradip Port

Paradip Port is a natural, deep-water harbor on the East coast of India in Paradip, just 53 km (33 mi) from Jagatsinghpur city in Jagatsinghpur district of Odisha, India. It is where the Mahanadi river meets the Bay of Bengal, around 210 nmi (390 km; 240 mi) south of Kolkata and 260 nmi (480 km; 300 mi) north of Visakhapatnam. The port is managed by the Paradip Port Authority (PPA) (previously Paradip Port Trust), which is an independent corporation fully owned by the Government of India.

Aspect	Details
Name	Paradip Port
Location	Paradip, Odisha, India
Established	1966
Type	Deep-Water, All-Weather Port
Primary Cargo	Coal, Iron Ore, Crude Oil, Fertilizers, Containers, and Dry Bulk
Significance	One of the largest ports in India, playing a key role in the country’s international maritime trade, especially in the eastern region.

Visakhapatnam Port

Visakhapatnam Port is one of India’s twelve big ports and the main port of Andhra Pradesh. It’s the third largest state-owned port in India in terms of cargo volume, and the biggest on the Eastern Coast. Positioned about halfway between Kolkata Port and Chennai Port, it’s around 880 km from Kolkata and 780 km from Chennai, making it a strategic location along the Bay of Bengal coast.

Aspect	Details
Name	Visakhapatnam Port
Location	Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India
Established	1933
Type	Deep-Water, All-Weather Port
Primary Cargo	Iron Ore, Coal, Crude Oil, General Cargo, Containers
Significance	One of the major ports of India, serving as a key hub for maritime trade in the eastern region, with strategic importance due to its location and facilities.

Kamarajar Port

Kamarajar Port Limited, previously known as Ennore Port, sits on the Coromandel Coast, around 18 km north of Chennai Port. It’s India’s 12th major port and the first to be a public company. It’s the only major port organized as a company. Chennai Port Trust took over about 67% ownership of Kamarajar Port Limited from the government on March 27, 2020, while it already held 23 percent earlier.

Aspect	Details
Name	Kamarajar Port
Location	Ennore, Tamil Nadu, India
Established	2001
Type	Deep-Water, All-Weather Port
Primary Cargo	Coal, Petroleum, Petroleum Products, and Containers
Significance	India’s first corporatized port; plays a vital role in handling automotive and coal cargoes, serving the industrial and economic zones of southern India.

Chennai Port

Chennai Port, previously called Madras Port, is India’s second-largest container port, after Mumbai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as Nhava Sheva. It’s the biggest port in the Bay of Bengal and the third-oldest among India’s 13 major ports, starting official operations in 1881, though maritime trade began much earlier in 1639 on the undeveloped coast.

Aspect	Details
Name	Chennai Port
Location	Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Established	1881
Type	Major Maritime Port
Primary Cargo	Containers, Automobiles, Coal, Petroleum Products
Significance	One of the oldest and largest maritime ports in India, crucial for maritime trade in the southern region, especially in handling automotive exports and imports.

Tuticorin Port

The V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority is located in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, and is one of India’s 13 major ports. It was designated as a major port on July 11, 1974. It ranks as the second-largest port in Tamil Nadu and the third-largest container terminal in India. The V.O. Chidambaranar Port is man-made. It’s the third international port in Tamil Nadu and the second all-weather port.

Aspect	Details
Name	V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin Port)
Location	Thoothukudi (Tuticorin), Tamil Nadu, India
Established	1974
Type	Deep-Water, All-Weather Port
Primary Cargo	Coal, General Cargo, Containers
Significance	Key maritime gateway for southern Tamil Nadu and inland regions, supporting economic and industrial development.

Major Ports of India on Western Coast

The Western Coast of India is dotted with several major ports that are instrumental in handling a significant portion of the country’s maritime trade. The Western coastal plains of India extend from Gujarat in the North to Kerala in the South, passing through the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Goa. It lies between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea.The major ports located on the western coasts of India are as follows.

• Kandla Port
• Jawaharlal Nehru Port
• Mumbai Port
• Mormugao Port
• New Mangalore Port
• Cochin Port

Here are the major ports located on the Western Coast:

Kandla Port

Kandla Port, officially renamed as Deendayal Port Trust in 2017, is a vital maritime facility located on the northwestern coast of India, in the Kutch District of Gujarat. Established in 1952, the port was constructed to serve as a major trading hub, especially after the partition of India, which led to the loss of the Karachi port to Pakistan.

Aspect	Details
Name	Kandla Port (renamed as Deendayal Port Trust)
Location	Kutch District, Gujarat, India
Established	1931, developed extensively after the partition of India in 1947
Significance	One of the major ports on the west coast of India, known for handling a significant amount of cargo, especially in commodities, oil, and container traffic.
Ownership	Government of India

Jawaharlal Nehru Port

Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as Nhava Sheva, is the largest container port in India. Located in Maharashtra, close to Mumbai, it was commissioned in 1989 to augment the port capacity of Mumbai. Managed by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, it plays a pivotal role in India’s international trade, handling a significant portion of the country’s containerized cargo.

Aspect	Details
Name	Jawaharlal Nehru Port, also known as Nhava Sheva
Location	Located in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Established	1989
Significance	It is the largest container port in India and a major contributor to India’s international trade and logistics due to its proximity to Mumbai, India’s commercial capital.
Ownership	Operated by Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust under the Ministry of Shipping, Government of India.

Mumbai Port

Mumbai Port, one of India’s oldest major ports, is located on the west coast in Mumbai, Maharashtra. Established in 1873, it has played a vital role in the maritime trade of India. Primarily handling bulk cargo, it is known for its deep natural harbour and strategic location, serving both as a key facility for imports and exports and as a hub for passenger traffic.

Aspect	Details
Name	Mumbai Port
Location	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Established	1873
Type	Natural Deep-Water Harbour
Primary Cargo	Bulk Cargo, General Cargo, Passengers
Significance	One of India’s oldest major ports; strategic location

Mormugao Port

Mormugao Port, located in Goa, India, is one of the country’s premier iron ore export ports. Established in 1888, it’s a natural harbor that has played a significant role in the maritime trade, particularly in the export of iron ore from India. Over the years, Mormugao has diversified its cargo handling capabilities to include other bulk and general cargoes.

Aspect	Details
Name	Mormugao Port
Location	Goa, India
Established	1888
Type	Natural Harbour
Primary Cargo	Iron Ore, Bulk Cargo
Significance	Key exporter of iron ore; one of India’s major ports

New Mangalore Port

New Mangalore Port, situated in Panambur, Karnataka, is the only major port of the state. Established in 1974, it is known for handling a diverse range of cargoes including crude oil, LPG, coffee, and cashew. It plays a vital role in the economic development of the region, serving the hinterland of Karnataka as well as parts of Kerala.

Aspect	Details
Name	New Mangalore Port
Location	Panambur, Karnataka, India
Established	1974
Type	Deep-Water, All-Weather Port
Primary Cargo	Crude Oil, LPG, Coffee, Cashew, Containerized Cargo
Significance	Major port for Karnataka and northern Kerala; key for economic development and trade in the region.

Cochin Port

Cochin Port, located on the west coast of India in the city of Kochi, Kerala, is one of the major ports in India. Established in 1928, it plays a crucial role in the maritime trade of the region. The port is strategically positioned along major international sea routes and has a natural harbor. Cochin Port facilitates the export and import of goods and is known for its container transshipment facility.

Aspect	Details
Name	Cochin Port
Location	Kochi, Kerala, India
Established	1928
Type	Natural Harbour; Major International Seaport
Primary Cargo	Containers, Petroleum Products, Chemicals, Tea, Coffee
Significance	Key hub for maritime trade in southwestern India; notable for its container transshipment terminal.

Government Initiatives for India’s Port Sector

The Government of India has implemented several initiatives to enhance the country’s port sector, aiming to increase efficiency, reduce turnaround time, and boost the maritime economy. Here are some key government initiatives for India’s port sector:

1. Sagarmala Project: Launched to promote port-led direct and indirect development and to provide infrastructure to transport goods to and from ports quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively. The initiative includes modernizing existing ports, developing new ports, enhancing port connectivity, and coastal community development.
2. Bharatmala Pariyojana: This program aims to improve road connectivity across the country, including port connectivity projects. Enhancing the roads leading to major ports is a crucial part of this initiative to facilitate smoother cargo movement.
3. Make in India: While not exclusively for the port sector, the Make in India initiative has a significant impact on maritime trade. Improving port infrastructure and efficiency is crucial for boosting manufacturing and exports, aligning with the Make in India goals.
4. Port Modernization and New Port Development: Efforts are underway to modernize existing ports and develop new ones with state-of-the-art technology to handle larger ships and increase cargo handling capacity.
5. Ease of Doing Business: Simplifying procedures, digitizing processes, and reducing paperwork for cargo clearance to improve the ease of doing business at Indian ports.
6. Direct Port Delivery (DPD) and Direct Port Entry (DPE): Initiatives aimed at reducing congestion, lowering costs, and decreasing turnaround time for cargo at ports by allowing importers and exporters direct access to the port premises.
7. Maritime India Vision 2030: A comprehensive plan to enhance the maritime sector, including doubling the port capacity, promoting coastal shipping, developing inland waterways, and boosting cruise tourism in India.
8. Coastal Berth Scheme: Part of the Sagarmala programme, this scheme aims to promote coastal shipping and reduce the logistics cost for transporting domestic cargo through the development of infrastructure at coastal ports.
9. Green Port Initiative: Focuses on environmental sustainability by adopting renewable energy sources, ensuring clean water and air, and implementing eco-friendly technologies at ports.

Busiest Port in India

Jawaharlal Nehru Port (also known as Nhava Sheva) in Maharashtra is the busiest port in India in terms of container traffic. It handles the largest volume of containerized cargo among all the ports in India. Established in 1989, it plays a critical role in India’s international trade, serving as a primary gateway for imports and exports, especially in the western region of the country. The port’s strategic location near Mumbai, India’s financial capital, and its state-of-the-art facilities contribute to its status as the busiest port in the nation.

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Major ports in India- FAQs

What are 13 major ports in India?

India has 13 major ports – Deendayal (Kandla), Mumbai, Mormugao, New Mangalore, Cochin, Chennai, Ennore (Kamarajar), Tuticorin (V O Chidambaranar), Visakhapatnam, Paradip and Kolkata (including Haldia) and Jawaharlal Nehru Port. Port Blair which was notified as major port in 2010 was removed of its status recently.

Which is the No 1 port in India?

Jawaharlal Nehru Port, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra. Located in the proximity of the financial capital of India, the Jawahar Lal Nehru port is one of the biggest and most active ports of India.

Which is India’s safest port?

Visakhapatnam Port. It is a natural harbor port and one of the country’s oldest ports. It is the most profound and safest landlocked port in India. Regarding cargo handling, Vizag port is the second largest port in the country. The port consists of three harbors – inner harbor, outer harbour and fishing harbour.

What are the 5 famous ports in India?

Thirteen major ports in the country handle a lot of volume of container and cargo traffic. On the west coast, there are the ports of Mumbai, Kandla, Mangalore, JNPT, Mormugao, and Cochin. The ones on the east coast are the ports at Chennai, Tuticorin, Visakhapatnam, Paradip, Kolkata, and Ennore.

Which is the deepest port of India?

Krishnapatnam Port is known as the deepest port in India and it’s made up of a draft of 18.5 meters. Also, the Paradip Port is not the deepest port. It is a natural port that is known as a deep-water port on the India East coast in Paradip.

Which is busiest port in India?

Mundra is the busiest container port in India, with annual traffic of 4.4 million TEU. It ranks 32nd out of the Top 50 seaports in the world. It is operated by Adani Ports and SEZ Limited (APSEZ), which began operating in 200 and has become the largest container port in India.