Major Ports Cargo Up 8% in April to September 2026

Cargo handled at India's 12 major ports rose to 472.75 million tonnes in April to September 2026, up from 437.43 million tonnes a year earlier, according to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. The ministry puts growth at 8.07 per cent. The Hindu BusinessLine, reporting Indian Ports Association data on 8 October, put it at 8.01 per cent.

Of the six-month total, overseas cargo made up 358.82 million tonnes and coastal cargo 113.93 million tonnes, the ministry said.

September grew faster

In September 2026 alone, major ports handled 82.39 million tonnes, 9.25 million tonnes or 12.65 per cent more than in September 2025. The ministry's monthly report said Deendayal Port led on both share and growth, and its extra volume made up about 68 per cent of the system-wide increase. JNPA, Kamarajar, Cochin, Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata and V.O. Chidambaranar also grew faster than the average, while Paradip, Visakhapatnam and Mormugao declined.

Containers lead the growth

BusinessLine reported that container tonnage at major ports rose 8.21 per cent to 112.90 million tonnes in the first half, while container traffic in TEU terms rose 12.22 per cent to 8.17 million TEUs. Other changes over the six months, according to the same report:

• Petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL): up 6.31 per cent to 140.97 million tonnes.
• Coal: up 5.78 per cent to 67.99 million tonnes.
• Iron ore: up 7.25 per cent to 25.24 million tonnes.
• Fertiliser: down 26.89 per cent to 4 million tonnes.

Deendayal Port in Gujarat handled the highest volume and grew 26.85 per cent, helped by a sharp rise in POL. Paradip came second despite a 1.06 per cent fall to 75.96 million tonnes, and JNPA was third on the back of stronger container handling. Chennai Port's volume fell 4 per cent due to lower POL, although its other cargo segments grew.

An uneven recovery

Jagannarayan Padmanabhan of Crisil Intelligence told BusinessLine that the growth was encouraging but was being "driven disproportionately by Deendayal's surge in POL and JNPA's strong container volumes", with some traditional bulk segments still subdued.

Why it matters for transporters and logistics businesses

• Faster container growth at JNPA and other gateways points to more demand for trailers and container trucks on port-linked corridors, especially in western India.
• Operators serving Paradip, Visakhapatnam and Mormugao may see softer bulk volumes in the near term and could look at container or coastal-linked work.
• Port growth also drives demand for container freight stations, warehousing and permits for interstate movement. Explore cargo and warehousing providers, transporters and toll and permit services on BizGrowthUp.

Source: The Hindu BusinessLine; Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways