The Seven Busiest Cargo Ports in India

India’s ports are vital for its trade, handling a wide variety of commodities ranging from oil and minerals to textiles and agricultural products. Despite boasting the world's largest population, none of India's shipping hubs currently rank among the world's busiest ports.

Below are the seven most significant ports in India:

1. Mundra Port (INMUN)

Mundra Port is the country's largest commercial port operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone (APSEZ). It serves as a major hub for both domestic and international trade, with extensive facilities for handling diverse cargo types, including containers, bulk, and liquid goods.

• Location: Mundra Port is situated on the northwest coast of India in the Gulf of Kutch, Gujarat, making it strategically positioned for trade routes to the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
• Key Commodities: It handles a wide range of commodities, including coal, crude oil, chemicals, fertilizers, agricultural products, and containers, supporting both imports and exports.
• Annual Cargo Volume: 155 million tonnes in 2023 (Statista)
• Annual Container Throughput: 6.5 million TEU in 2022 (Lloyd's List)

2. Nhava Sheva - Jawaharlal Nehru Port (INNSA)‍

Formerly the busiest container port in India, Jawaharlal Nehru Port serves as a major import and export hub.

• Location: Situated in Mumbai, on the west coast of India along the Arabian Sea, this port is crucial for maritime trade.
• Key Commodities: Electronics, textiles, machinery.
• Annual Cargo Volume: 81.1 million tonnes in 2022 (Indian Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways)‍
• Annual Container Throughput: 6.3 million TEU in 2023 (India Shipping News)

3. Port of Mumbai (INBOM)‍

One of the oldest and most important ports in India, the Port of Mumbai is crucial for both cargo handling and passenger traffic, supporting the bustling economy of Mumbai. It primarily handles bulk cargo, with containerized goods being handled nearby at Nhava Sheva.

• Location: Located in Mumbai, Maharashtra, this historic port is situated along the Arabian Sea and is one of the oldest in India.
• Key Commodities: Crude oil, chemicals, grain, textiles.
• Annual Cargo Volume: 67.3 million tonnes in 2023 (Mumbai Port Authority)
• Annual Container Throughput: Primarily used for bulk cargo, with most container traffic being processed through nearby Nhava Sheva

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4. Port of Chennai (INMAA)‍

Formerly known as Madras Port, the Port of Chennai is a major hub for automotive exports and industrial goods. The port links South India to international markets, playing a key role in the country’s manufacturing sector.

• Location: Positioned in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, along the southeastern coast of India on the Bay of Bengal, serving as a gateway to international markets.
• Key Commodities: Automobiles, machinery, textiles, chemicals.
• Annual Cargo Volume: 48.6 million tonnes in 2023 (The Economic Times)
• Annual Container Throughput: 1.6 million TEU in 2022 (The Economic Times)

5. Port of Visakhapatnam (INVTZ)‍

One of India’s leading ports for bulk cargo, Visakhapatnam is particularly significant in the export of minerals and energy products, making it a key player in the region's economy.

• Location: Located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on the eastern coast of India along the Bay of Bengal, serving as a major port for bulk cargo.
• Key Commodities: Iron ore, coal, fertilizers, petroleum products.
• Annual Cargo Volume: 81.1 million tonnes in 2023 (The Hindu)
• Annual Container Throughput: Approximately 512,000 TEU in 2022 (Statista)

6. Port of Kolkata (INCCU)‍

As the oldest operating port in India, the Port of Kolkata is crucial for trade with Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh, supporting regional industries and trade networks.

• Location: Situated in Kolkata, West Bengal, on the eastern bank of the Hooghly River, this port connects inland trade routes to the Bay of Bengal.
• Key Commodities: Jute, tea, steel, chemicals.
• Annual Cargo Volume: 65.7 million tonnes in 2023 (Kolkata Port)
• Annual Container Throughput: 675,904 in 2023 (Kolkata Port)

7. Port of Cochin (INCOK)‍

Historically known as the “Queen of the Arabian Sea" for its central role in the Indian spice trade, the Port of Cochin (Kochi) serves as a vital maritime hub in India.

• Location: Located in Kochi, Kerala, along the southwestern coast of India, this port is strategically positioned on the Arabian Sea.
• Key Commodities: Spices, tea, rubber, petroleum.
• Annual Cargo Volume: 36.3 million tonnes in 2023 (The Hindu)
• Annual Container Throughput: 735,577 TEU in 2022 (Cochin Port)