Ports

India has 12 major ports and ~200 non-major ports. Major ports handled 855 MT in FY2024. Capacity expanded from ~350 MTPA (2004) to 1,649 MTPA (2024) under Sagarmala Programme. Turnaround time at major ports reduced from 4.67 days (2014) to 2.6 days (2024). Growth was steady from 2004 through 2020; COVID caused a temporary dip. Private sector PPP terminals now handle the majority of new capacity.

MTPA = million tonnes per annum handling capacity. Capacity nearly doubled between 2004 and 2014 driven by PPP investments and NMDP; it grew another 63% between 2014 and 2024 through Sagarmala. Mechanisation and the PCS1x port community system cut dwell times. Inland waterways (NW-1 Ganga) now supplement coastal freight. Utilisation rate (~52%) leaves significant headroom for traffic growth.