Map showing the location of airports and seaports in India
In India, ports are categorised into major ports and non-major ports (minor ports). As of 2024, the country has 13 major ports[1] and 217 non-major ports. Major ports are administered by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways under the Government of India, whereas non-major ports fall under the jurisdiction of State Maritime Boards of respective state governments, including private ports operating under the public–private partnership (PPP) model. Among the 217 non-major ports, cargo is handled only at 68 ports, others are used by fishing vessels and ferries.[2]
India has a coastline of 11,098 kilometres[3], forming one of the largest peninsulas in the world. According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, around 95 percent of India's trading by volume and 70 percent by value is done through maritime transport. India's major ports handled highest ever cargo of 795 million tonne in FY23.[4]
The maritime boards of state governments administer control of minor ports owned by state governments. In 2018–19, minor ports of Gujarat alone handled total 542 MMT of cargo.[8] Maharashtra Maritime Board sets record of handling 71 mn tons of cargo in 2022–23.[9]
Capacity
The capacity of Indian ports currently stands at 2,604.99 mtpa.[10] The container throughput of Indian ports stood at 17 million TEUs for the period 2020.[11]
India has been building large ships after the independence using public sector companies like Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers estb in 1884, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, Hindustan Shipyard, Goa Shipyard and Cochin Shipyard. SS Jala Usha, a steamship built by Hindustan Shipyard in 1948 and the first of its kind to be built within the Indian subcontinent after WW-II.The first oil tanker built by Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) was the MV Rani Padmini, which was delivered in July 1981.[12] India launched 93,000 DWT oil tanker in 2002 under Third Vajpayee ministry, The ship named Maharshi Parashuram built by Cochin Shipyard was 237 meter long double vessel was fitted with 14,300 HP engine.[13]Abul Kalam Azad is another similar-size oil tanker ship built by Cochin Shipyard in 1999 which has been scrapped.[14]
The port's under central Government of india are known as Major port and other ports in India are classified as minor ports.The following are the major ports of India:[17][18]
