Sea Ports in India – India, with a coastline of approximately 7,517 kilometers, is a significant maritime nation hosting a vast network of ports that facilitate 95% of its trade by volume and 70% by value. These sea ports in india, categorized as major and minor, are spread across nine coastal states and several Union Territories, playing a pivotal role in economic growth, international trade, and regional connectivity. This article explores the major and minor ports, provides a state-wise list, and highlights key aspects such as the total number of ports, the largest ports, and the historical significance of the first and oldest ports in India.
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The table below outlines the administrative oversight of sea ports in India, managed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for major ports and State Maritime Boards for minor ports, along with key details such as the total number of ports, largest ports, deepest port, and specific port types. The data reflects the status as of May 18, 2025, accounting for recent developments like the proposed 14th major port.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Under Ministry |
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| Major Ports in India |
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| Minor Ports in India |
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| 14th Major Port of India |
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| Total Ports in India |
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| Largest Port in India |
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| 2nd Largest Port in India |
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| Deepest Port in India |
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| Largest Container Port in India |
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| Artificial Ports in India |
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| Tidal Ports in India |
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Notes
- The number of major ports increased to 14 with the notification of Galathea Bay in September 2024, superseding earlier counts of 12 or 13. Vadhavan Port, approved in June 2024, is the 13th major sea port, and Galathea Bay is the 14th.
- Minor sea port counts vary slightly across sources (200–217); 217 is used as the most recent figure from 2024 data.
- Cargo volume metrics for largest ports are based on FY 2021–22 and FY 2024–25 data, prioritizing major ports unless specified (e.g., Mundra).
- Deepest port data prioritizes Gangavaram (21 meters) over conflicting claims for Krishnapatnam or Mundra, based on draft measurements.
- Artificial and tidal port lists are not exhaustive but include prominent examples from reliable sources.
Overview of Sea Ports in India
Ports in India are classified into major sea ports and minor sea ports (also referred to as non-major or intermediate ports).
Major ports are under the administrative control of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, governed by the Major Port Authorities Act, 2021.
Minor ports are managed by respective state governments or State Maritime Boards, often involving public-private partnerships (PPPs). As of 2025, India has 13 major ports and 217 minor ports, with only 68 of the minor ports actively handling cargo, while others serve fishing vessels and ferries.
The ports collectively handle a cargo capacity of approximately 2,627 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA), with major ports contributing 1,617 MTPA and minor ports 1,010 MTPA.
Major Ports in India
Major ports are critical to India’s maritime trade, handling a significant portion of containerized and bulk cargo. These ports are equipped with modern infrastructure, deep drafts, and advanced cargo-handling facilities.
The 13 major ports, including the newly approved Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra, are listed below with their key details:
| Port Name | State/UT | Year Established | Key Cargo Handled |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kolkata Port (Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port) | West Bengal | 1870 | Jute, tea, coal, steel, iron ore |
| Haldia Port | West Bengal | 1967 | Jute, steel, iron ore |
| Paradip Port | Odisha | 1966 | Iron ore, coal, petroleum |
| Visakhapatnam Port (Vizag Port) | Andhra Pradesh | 1933 | Iron ore, oil, coal, alumina, pellets |
| Kamarajar Port (Ennore Port) | Tamil Nadu | 2001 | Coal, iron ore, petroleum |
| Chennai Port | Tamil Nadu | 1881 | Automobiles, iron ore, coal, granite, fertilizers |
| V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin Port) | Tamil Nadu | 1974 | Coal, salt, food grains, edible oil, sugar |
| Cochin Port (Kochi Port) | Kerala | 1928 | Crude oil, petroleum products, spices, tea |
| New Mangalore Port | Karnataka | 1974 | Iron ore, manganese, granite, coffee, cashews |
| Mormugao Port | Goa | 1888 | Iron ore, cotton, manganese, coconut |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT) | Maharashtra | 1989 | Containerized cargo, textiles, chemicals |
| Mumbai Port | Maharashtra | 1873 | Textiles, manganese, equipment, leather, chemicals |
| Deendayal Port (Kandla Port) | Gujarat | 1955 | Petroleum, steel, iron machinery, chemicals, salt |
| Vadhavan Port | Maharashtra | Proposed (2024) | Containerized cargo, bulk cargo |
Note: Port Blair was removed from the major ports list in 2017 due to insufficient container traffic. Vadhavan Port was approved as the 13th major port in June 2024.
Minor Ports in India
Minor ports, managed by state governments or private entities under PPP models, are crucial for regional trade, fishing, and passenger transport. Of the 217 minor ports, only 68 handle cargo, with notable activity in states like Gujarat and Maharashtra.
Gujarat’s minor ports, such as Mundra Port, handled 542 MMT of cargo in 2018–19, while Maharashtra’s minor ports set a record of 71 million tons in 2022–23. Key minor ports include:
- Mundra Port (Gujarat): India’s busiest minor port, handling over 90 million tons annually.
- Gangavaram Port (Andhra Pradesh): The deepest port in India with a draft of 21 meters.
- Krishnapatnam Port (Andhra Pradesh): Handles 75 million tonnes annually with a draft of 18.5 meters.
- Dhamra Port (Odisha): Specializes in bulk cargo like coal and iron ore.
- Karaikal Port (Puducherry): A private port handling bulk and liquid cargo.
State-Wise List of Sea Ports in India
India’s ports are distributed across nine coastal states and several Union Territories. The table below provides the number of functional ports (major and minor) in each region, based on data from the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
| State/Union Territory | Major Ports | Minor Ports | Total Ports |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maharashtra | 3 (Mumbai, JNPT, Vadhavan) | 47 | 50 |
| Gujarat | 1 (Deendayal) | 48 | 49 |
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | 0 | 24 | 24 |
| Tamil Nadu | 3 (Chennai, Kamarajar, V.O. Chidambaranar) | 17 | 20 |
| Kerala | 1 (Cochin) | 17 | 18 |
| Andhra Pradesh | 1 (Visakhapatnam) | 15 | 16 |
| Odisha | 1 (Paradip) | 14 | 15 |
| Karnataka | 1 (New Mangalore) | 13 | 14 |
| Goa | 1 (Mormugao) | 5 | 6 |
| West Bengal | 2 (Kolkata, Haldia) | 0 | 2 |
| Puducherry | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Daman & Diu | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| Lakshadweep | 0 | 10 | 10 |
Total Ports in India: 13 major + 217 minor = 230 ports.
Total Sea Ports in India
As of 2025, India has a total of 230 ports, comprising 13 major ports and 217 minor ports. These ports are spread across a coastline of 7,517 km, covering nine coastal states and Union Territories like Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Puducherry, and Daman & Diu.
The Sagarmala Project aims to modernize these ports, with plans to develop six new mega ports to enhance capacity to 2,200 MMTPA by 2030.
Largest Sea Ports in India
The largest ports in India are determined by cargo volume, container traffic, and infrastructure capacity. Key examples include:
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port (JNPT), Maharashtra: The largest container port, handling 6.05 million TEUs in FY 2022–23 and over 50% of India’s containerized cargo.
- Mumbai Port, Maharashtra: The largest by area (46.3 hectares), handling 60% of India’s maritime trade and known for its natural harbor.
- Deendayal Port (Kandla), Gujarat: The busiest by cargo tonnage, handling 20.5% of overseas cargo in 2021–22.
- Chennai Port, Tamil Nadu: The largest on the eastern coast, handling 1.035 million TEUs as of October 2024.
- Mundra Port, Gujarat: The busiest minor port, accommodating 5.7 million units of cargo annually.
First Port in India
The first port in India established in the modern sense was at Surat in 1498 by the Portuguese, who set up trading centers in Gujarat.
The British followed with the establishment of Madras (Chennai) Port in 1640, marking the beginning of organized maritime trade under colonial rule. These early ports laid the foundation for India’s maritime infrastructure.
Oldest Port in India
The oldest port in India is Lothal Port in Gujarat, dating back to the Indus Valley Civilization (circa 2400 BCE).
Located in the Bhal region, Lothal is considered one of the world’s earliest known dockyards, used for trade with Mesopotamia.
In the modern context, Kolkata Port (Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port), established in 1870 by the British East India Company, is the oldest operational port, known for its riverine location on the Hooghly River.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Despite their significance, Indian ports face challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, limited cargo-handling capacity, regulatory delays, and poor hinterland connectivity. The government has initiated measures like the Sagarmala Project, Maritime India Vision 2030, and 100% FDI in port development to address these issues. Key strategies include:
- Modernizing port infrastructure with mechanization and digitization.
- Enhancing rail and road connectivity for multimodal transport.
- Promoting PPP models, with over 30 successful PPP projects in major ports.
- Developing new ports, such as Vadhavan, to increase capacity.
The Maritime India Vision 2030 projects a cargo capacity of 2,200 MMTPA for major ports by 2030, aiming to position India as a global maritime hub.
Sea Ports in India : Conclusion
India’s ports are the backbone of its trade and economy, facilitating 95% of trade by volume across a 7,517 km coastline. The 13 major ports, managed by the central government, and 217 minor ports, overseen by states, collectively handle diverse cargo, from iron ore to containers.
States like Maharashtra and Gujarat lead in port infrastructure, while historical ports like Lothal and modern hubs like JNPT highlight India’s maritime legacy and ambition. With initiatives like Sagarmala and Maritime India Vision 2030, India is poised to enhance its port capacity, efficiency, and global competitiveness, ensuring sustained economic growth and regional connectivity.
Sources
- Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India shipmin.gov.in
- Wikipedia: List of Ports in India en.wikipedia.org
