Cargo at India’s Major Ports Surges To 819 Million Tonnes

New Delhi: The cargo handled at India’s major ports has increased from 581.34 million tonnes in 2014-15 to 819.23 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.5 per cent which is comparable to global standards, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

During 2023-24, the cargo handled comprised 33.80 per cent liquid bulk, 44.04 per cent dry bulk, and 22.16 per cent container cargo, Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways Sarabananda Sonowal told the Rajya Sabha in a written reply. Infrastructure development and capacity augmentation of major ports is a continuous process which involves the construction of new berths and terminals, mechanisation of existing berths and terminals, capital dredging for deepening of drafts for attracting larger vessels as well as development of road and rail connectivity, he added.

Further, Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra has been approved to be developed as the mega container port in the country to cater to the requirement of handling new generation mega-size container ships. Based on consultation with major ports, state maritime boards, and the Ministries of Railway and Road Transport and Highways, 107 road and rail connectivity infrastructure gaps for major and non-major ports have been identified and included in the Comprehensive Port Connectivity Plan.